Shelley, Author at On the Go in MCO

Disneynature Born In China Opens April 21st

Born in China, the seventh theatrical release for Disneynature, is set to open on April 21st, and you won’t want your chance to get a glimpse at China’s vast terrain from the frigid mountains to the heart of the bamboo forest.

2017 Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Slate - Born in China poster

Narrated by John Krasinski, the Disneynature new True Life Adventure film Born In China follows the stories of three animal families to some of the world’s most extreme environments to witness wildly intimate moments in the lives of these animals, whose day-to-day endeavors are both captivating and comical.

A doting panda bear mother guides her growing baby as she begins to explore and seek independence.

httpv://youtu.be/l8DgfRFgjhQ

A 2-year-old golden snub-nosed monkey, who feels displaced by his new baby sister, joins up with a group of free-spirited outcasts.

httpv://youtu.be/4DFjqZagZ58

And a mother snow leopard—an elusive animal rarely seen by human eyes—faces the very real drama of raising her two cubs in one of the harshest and most unforgiving environments on Earth.

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“The film explores the circle of life in a very emotional and uplifting way,” says producer Roy Conli. “Each story depicts a reality of life that is reflective of our own human experience. It’s compelling to see how animals share certain values that we hold dear.”

Born in China is directed by accomplished Chinese filmmaker Lu Chuan, and produced by Disney’s Roy Conli and renowned nature filmmakers Brian Leith and Phil Chapman. The fi lm features an orchestral score composed by Emmy-winner Barnaby Taylor that incorporates authentic Chinese flavors. New York-based band American Authors penned and performed the end-credit song “Everything Everything.”

As a bonus moviegoers who see Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure Born in China during its opening week (April 21-27, 2017) will benefit the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Based on opening-week attendance, Disneynature, via the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, will make a contribution to the WWF to help protect wild pandas and snow leopards.

Brian Regan Performing At Dr. Phillips Center This Fall

The Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts announced that Brian Regan will be bringing his comedy tour to Orlando this fall!

Brian Regan Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 2017

Brian Regan’s latest stand-up special, “Brian Regan: Live from Radio City Music Hall” (2015), was the first-ever live broadcast of a stand-up special in Comedy Central’s history. The special was critically acclaimed, with Vanity Fair calling Regan, “the funniest stand-up alive.” He made a scene-stealing cameo in Chris Rock’s film, “Top Five,” and was a guest on Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.”

Regan has released six hours of comedy: “Brian Regan: Live from Radio City Music Hall” (2015) is airing on Comedy Central and his available on CD and DVD and as a video or audio download; “All By Myself” (2010) is available on CD and download only through his website; his two previous hour-long Comedy Central specials, “The Epitome of Hyperbole” (2008) and “Brian Regan Standing Up” (2007) are available on DVD; “I Walked on the Moon” (2004) is available on DVD or as an audio or video download only through his website, and “Brian Regan Live” (1997) is available on CD.

Regan just announced a two-special deal with Netflix, joining Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle and Louis CK in multi-special deals with the leader in worldwide streaming. Regan will tape the first special on June 23 and 24, 2017 at the Paramount Theatre in Denver. Announcing the deal during his March 28, 2017 appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Regan is a regular on “The Tonight Show,” and he made 28 appearances on “Late Show with David Letterman,” the most of any comic in the show’s 22 years on CBS.

Brian Regan will visit 39 cities this summer and fall during the tour. Regan visits close to 100 cities each year, selling out the most beautiful venues on the continent, and he will arrive in the Walt Disney Theater on Friday, September 22, 2017 at 8 p.m.

Tickets start at $49.75 and may be purchased online at drphillipscenter.org, by calling 844.513.2014 or by visiting the Dr. Phillips Center Box Office at 445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday. Online and phone ticket purchases are subject to handling fees.

Four Seasons Resort Orlando Offers Two Easter Brunch Options

If you are still looking for the perfect place for Easter Brunch, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort has two options you will want to check out!

Ravello

The Resort’s modern Italian restaurant Ravello will present a lavish Easter buffet.

The menu includes a wide array of offerings, ranging from a raw bar/seafood station to an antipasti and salad bar, a carving station with lavender honey glazed ham and braised lamb shank, and a hot entrée station with grilled salmon with lemon butter and capers, garlic marinated grilled chicken, and much more.

Classic brunch favourites will be offered as well, such as beer-braised brisket hash, lobster benedict, eggs made to order, a waffle station with choice of toppings, raspberry Nutella-stuffed French toast, and much more.

Guests with a sweet tooth will be delighted with the dessert station that includes mixed berry crème brulee, peanut butter chocolate pie, mixed berry truffle cinnamon coffee tiramisu, assorted macarons and more.

A special children’s buffet will be offered including items such as “ants on a log” and “pigs in a blanket,” tater tots, chicken fingers, PB&J sandwiches, chocolate dipped Rice Krispie treats, miniature fun-fetti cupcakes, and assorted Easter candies.

Ravello Easter brunch will be offered from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm for $105 per adult and $45 per child ages 5-12.

Plancha

For a brunch menu with a Cuban twist, celebrate Easter Sunday at Plancha, the Resort’s Cuban American restaurant.

Located at the Tranquilo Golf Club clubhouse, the lakeside restaurant offers a three-course brunch including bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Marys from an extravagant Bloody Mary Bar.

The appetizer buffet includes artisanal meats and cheeses, assorted salads with fresh herbs from a living wall garden fresh fruits, smoked salmon and bagels, breakfast pastries and much more.

Entrée choices include traditional brunch items such as eggs benedict with truffle hollandaise, very-berry French toast, shrimp omelet, chicken and white cheddar waffles, and oatmeal pancakes in addition to Cuban favourites such as el Cubano sandwich, the Plancha Burger with a chorizo and beef patty, churrasco with yucca fries, and Sunday fish with a tropical fruit salsa.

The children’s buffet offers kids’ favourites such as pancakes, chicken tenders, mac n’ cheese, mini burger, grilled salmon, cookies and fruit.

Plancha brunch is offered every Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm for $68 per adult and $20 per child ages 5-12.

Reservations for Ravello and Plancha at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World can be made by calling (407) 313-6161.

D23 Expo 2017 News: Nine New Disney Legends #D23Expo

For the past 30 years Disney Legends awards have recognized the remarkable contributions that individuals have made to the Disney Legacy, and this year’s ceremony hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger at 10 am on Friday, July 14, in Hall D23 of the Anaheim Convention Center during the D23 Expo 2017 is shaping up to be extraordinary!

“The Disney Legends Award is the highest honor our company can bestow on an individual, reserved for those few who have truly made an indelible mark on the history of The Walt Disney Company,” said Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger. “It’s a celebration of talent, a recognition of achievement, and an expression of gratitude to the men and women whose work has significantly contributed to Disney’s enduring reputation for creative excellence.”

The 2017 Disney Legends Award honorees (listed alphabetically) are:

CARRIE FISHER became an overnight sensation in 1977 with her iconic performance as Princess Leia in Star Wars. But throughout her career, Carrie took on many roles—as an actress, author, playwright, screenwriter, and outspoken advocate for mental health awareness. For Disney, Carrie appeared in Scream 3 (2000) and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) for Dimension Films, and, in 2015, she returned to the role that made her famous, starring as General Leia Organa in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. She reprised the role for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which will be released in December.

CLYDE “GERRY” GERONIMI joined the Disney Studio in 1931. His first assignments as an animator were for several memorable Mickey Mouse, Silly Symphony, and Pluto cartoons, and he eventually contributed to more than 50 of the Studio’s shorts. Gerry made the leap to sequence director with 1943’s Victory Through Air Power, and he subsequently contributed to The Three Caballeros, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Cinderella, Peter Pan, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians. He also directed segments for television’s Mickey Mouse Club and contributed to episodes of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. The apex of his Disney career came when he served as supervising director for the 1959 masterpiece Sleeping Beauty.

MANUEL GONZALES was one of 33 artists selected from thousands of applicants to join Disney in 1936. In 1938, he took over penciling duties on the Sunday Mickey Mouse comic strip from Disney Legend Floyd Gottfredson. He brought Mickey Mouse to newspapers nationwide for nearly 40 years. At its peak, his Mickey-starring comic strip appeared in 120 newspapers around the world with a collective circulation of more than 20 million readers each week. Manuel was presented a “Mousecar” award by Walt Disney in 1966.

MARK HAMILL began his career in 1970, appearing in numerous television series guest-roles and several TV movies, including a recurring role on ABC’s General Hospital and starring in MTM's acclaimed The Texas Wheelers. He achieved worldwide attention as Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy, which included The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He returned as Luke in The Force Awakens and will appear in the upcoming The Last Jedi. His stage career includes Broadway shows and the first national tour of Amadeus directed by Sir Peter Hall. A prolific voice-over actor, he has performed in countless animated television shows, feature films, documentaries, and video games. He appears on Disney’s Miles from Tomorrowland and Milo Murphy’s Law, and has also provided the voice of The Joker in the Batman animated series, a role that recently earned him a BAFTA Award.

WAYNE JACKSON began his career as a Walt Disney Imagineer in October 1965, and in the decades that followed he would put his technical skills and know-how to great use in the development and installation of Disney attractions around the world. Originally trained in aircraft tooling, he began as a technician and machinist assigned to rebuild the shows from the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair that were slated for installation at Disneyland. Instrumental in the early development of Audio-Animatronics technology, Wayne would go on to help bring Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion to Disneyland. He went on to work on the construction and installation of attractions and show systems at Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Disneyland Paris.

STAN LEE got a job as an office assistant at a comic publisher in 1939 called Timely Comics—forerunner of the powerhouse we all know as Marvel. Stan made his debut with a Captain America story in 1941, and by the next year, at the age of just 18, he was promoted to editor. In 1961, Stan teamed up with Jack “King” Kirby to create the Fantastic Four and ushered in a spectacular new age of comics. Stan co-created an enormous roster of Marvel characters, including Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, the X-Men, Daredevil, and Falcon. He became Marvel’s editorial director and publisher in 1972, and eventually was named chairman emeritus. His well- known cameos in Marvel films began with 1989’s telefilm The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, and since the release of X-Men in 2000 he has appeared in nearly every Marvel film project. Outside the super-hero realm, he has even popped up as a wedding guest in Disney’s The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.

GARRY MARSHALL began his career in Los Angeles writing for a number of hit shows, including The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Lucy Show. But his big break came in 1970, when he produced The Odd Couple for ABC, the first of many big hits he created for the network. Beginning with Happy Days in 1974, he developed a shared universe of spinoffs including Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, and Joanie Loves Chachi. His other ABC sitcoms during these years included Angie, The New Odd Couple, and Blansky’s Beauties. Garry was also a successful movie director, with 18 films to his credit. At Disney, he made stars of two young actresses: Julia Roberts, in Pretty Woman, and Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries. He directed Bette Midler in Beaches, as well as in The Lottery, a short film that for years was a fixture of the Backstage Tour at the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park. Garry was known for his acting, as well, and he appeared in Disney’s Race to Witch Mountain, Chicken Little, and as the Devil in Hocus Pocus.

JULIE TAYMOR is a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winning and Oscar nominated filmmaker who has changed the face of Broadway with her innovative direction. Her adaptation of The Lion King debuted in 1997, becoming the most successful stage musical of all time; 24 global productions have been seen by more than 90 million people. The show has played in more than 100 cities in 19 countries. It received 11 Tony Award nominations, earning Julie Best Director, Costume Designer, and Best Musical for the show. Her production of The Magic Flute is currently in repertory at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Her films include A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Titus, The Tempest, the Golden Globe-nominated Across the Universe, and the Oscar-winning Frida. Taymor is a recipient of the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship and an inductee into the Theater Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement. She is currently directing M. Butterfly on Broadway, opening Fall 2017.

OPRAH WINFREY is a renowned award-winning producer, actress, talk show host, and philanthropist. For 25 years she was the host of the award-winning talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show, which ran for 25 seasons on hundreds of stations domestically and in more than 100 countries around the world. Oprah is also an Academy Award nominated actress for her role in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 hit The Color Purple. In 1998, she starred in Beloved for Disney’s Touchstone Pictures, a film that she also produced. Oprah also produced and starred in ABC’s 1989 limited series The Women of Brewster Place, and would go on to produce many films for ABC, including Tuesdays with Morrie, Before Women Had Wings, and Their Eyes Were Watching God under the “Oprah Winfrey Presents” banner. She performed as Eudora in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog in 2009 and will co-star as Mrs. Which in Disney’s 2018 film A Wrinkle in Time.

Disney Legend Honorees receive a two-foot- tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies the imagination, creativity, and magic they have brought to the Company. Disney Legends Award recipients will also participate in a handprint ceremony at the end of the event, and their bronzed prints will be displayed in the Disney Legends Plaza at the Company’s Burbank headquarters.

Admission to the Disney Legends ceremony will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is included in the price of a ticket to D23 Expo 2017.

Tickets for D23 Expo 2017 are available for $81 for one-day adult admission and $59 for children 3–9. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $72 for a one-day adult admission and $53 for children 3–9. Multi-day tickets are also available. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2017, visit D23Expo.com.

Toddler Tuesdays at SEA LIFE Orlando

During the month of April, SEA LIFE Orlando will host a new program called Toddler Tuesdays to offer an enhanced experience for the youngest underwater animal enthusiasts and their parents. The program provides an up-close, hands-on experience that is fun and unique – with an early opening hour and affordable pricing to match.

Sea Life Orlando Young Environmentalist I Drive

SEA LIFE Orlando is an immersive, one-of-kind aquarium experience that allows marine life enthusiasts to experience the magical world beneath our oceans of the world with interactive touch pools, bubble aquariums, floor-to-ceiling displays, a cold water rock pool, and 360-degree and 180-degree ocean tunnels featuring more than 5,000 sea animals. The 25,000-square foot aquarium attraction is home to colorful fish, sharks, sea horses, stingrays, jellies, a rescue green sea turtle and much more.

Starting this month, each Tuesday from 9:30am -10:30 a.m., guests can visit the aquarium and be a part of an exclusive, age-appropriate program filled with coloring, story time and animal feeding activities. The program will offer a variety of changing creature-feature topics focusing on the aquarium’s best-loved animals including sharks, turtles, sea horses, and more.

Toddler Tuesdays events will feature:

Meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with Magnus, SEA LIFE’s shark mascot
Story time at the Indian Ocean exhibit
An animal feeding experience
Sing-a-longs, coloring sessions and more activities to teach fun facts about underwater animals
Admission to the aquarium

Special pricing also applies with tickets just $15 for adults, $12 for children (ages three to 12), and free for toddlers (ages two and under).

SEA LIFE Orlando Annual Pass Members receive free entry into the Toddler Tuesdays program.

SEA LIFE Orlando

SEA LIFE Orlando is located at 8337 International Drive in Orlando, Florida, inside I-Drive 360, the entertainment and dining complex which is the home of the 400-foot Orlando Eye observation wheel and celebrity wax attraction Madame Tussauds Orlando.

For more information about the Toddler Tuesdays program at the aquarium, go to VisitSEALIFE.com/Orlando.

Krispy Kreme Introduces Ghirardelli Doughnuts #OMGhirardelli

Hold me…Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Ghirardelli are combining the indulgence of premium Ghirardelli chocolate with the deliciously satisfying taste of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The result is the ultimate OMG moment – “OMGhirardelli,” that is.

“Uniting premium chocolate enthusiasts and our beloved doughnut fans, these doughnuts offer an OMG-worthy reward any time of day. Whether you’re celebrating life’s everyday moments or in search of a delightful afternoon indulgence,” said Jenny Bellanca, vice president of operations for Florida Family Foods LLC, an authorized franchisee of Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation.

Designed to deliver a treat experience unlike any other, these limited-time doughnuts mean guests no longer have to choose between sweet or salty, chocolate or pastry.

Krispy Kreme Ghiradelli Doughnuts — Krispy Kreme

For the savory-sweet eater, Krispy Kreme’s new Sea Salt Caramel Doughnut Made with Ghirardelli offers a crave-worthy flavor experience inspired by Ghirardelli Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Squares. The doughnut is filled with salted caramel filling, dipped in decadent chocolate icing, drizzled with both the chocolate and caramel icings and topped with a blend of amber sugar, salt sprinkle, and Ghirardelli mini chocolate chips. Both the caramel filling and chocolate icing are made with premium Ghirardelli ingredients.

A cooler combination, Krispy Kreme’s Mint Chocolate Doughnut Made with Ghirardelli features a doughnut filled with White Mint Kreme™ filling inspired by Ghirardelli Chocolate Mint Squares, dipped in chocolate icing, decorated with green colored icing and topped with Ghirardelli mini chocolate chips dusted in powdered sugar. Again, the chocolate icing is made with premium Ghirardelli ingredients.

Krispy Kreme’s new Mint Chocolate and Sea Salt Caramel doughnuts inspired by Ghirardelli’s popular chocolate squares are available for a limited time only throughout Central Florida at the following locations:

Krispy Kreme Winter Park – Drive thru Open 24 hours

1031 S. Orlando Avenue (17-92), Winter Park, FL 32789

Krispy Kreme Millenia – Open 24 hours

4080 Millenia Blvd., Orlando, FL 32939

Krispy Kreme Kissimmee – Open 24 hours

5310 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, (192 / Mile Marker 11.5), Kissimmee, FL 34746

Krispy Kreme Daytona Beach – Open 24 Hours

980 W International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Krispy Kreme Melbourne – Drive thru Open 24 Hours

2040 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne, FL 32935

You can go to www.krispykreme.com/ghirardelli to find a participating shop near you, and don’t forget to share your OMGhirardelli moments using #OhSoFancy and #KrispyKreme.

Easter Staycation At The Gaylord Palms Resort

The Gaylord Palms Resort is absolutely one of our favorite places to staycation in Orlando, and this Easter you can find EGGcelent activities for the entire family to enjoy on Saturdays and Sundays through April 16, 2017!

2017 Gaylord Palms Resort Easter Staycation

The Easter fun begins in the Resort’s Atrium where guests will discover beautiful pastel-colored tulips, daffodils, hyacinth and more blooming alongside giant, decorated Easter eggs and a particularly large “chocolate” bunny.

Gaylord Palms Easter 2017 - Large Chocolate bunny — Gaylord Palms Resort

From April 1 to 16, guests can grab a free scavenger hunt booklet and follow the clues, journeying through the resort’s gardens to discover 10 oversized Easter Eggs in the 4.5 acre (and indoor) Great Gaylord Palms Egg Hunt!

Gaylord Palms Easter 2017 - Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt — Gaylord Palms Resort

The Gaylord Palms Resort in the past year has been adding new entertainment, and this Easter springtime characters make their debut in new show Queen Titania Tulip’s Easter Coronation and High Tea. The light-hearted, interactive musical revue welcomes families to join Queen Titania and her Royal Court as they crown the new Queen or King of Spring. In addition to sing-alongs, kids will decorate an Easter egg cookie, search for eggs in a unique egg hunt and learn some hippity-hoppity dance moves. (Saturdays, Sundays; $14.99 per decorating kit, plus tax)

Gaylord Palms Easter 2017 - Queen Titania Tulip Corronation Tea — Gaylord Palms Resort

Why you’re there you will want to hop on down to Villa de Flora to enjoy an award-winning breakfast where Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny do some table-hopping, delivering smiles and hugs while posing for photos. (Saturdays, Sundays; $27.50 per adult, $13.75 per child 4-12, plus tax and gratuity)

Gaylord Palms Easter 2017 - Easter Bunny Villa de Flora — Gaylord Palms Resort

Kids can make Easter-themed arts and crafts near the new Cypress Springs Water Park (more about that in a minute) giving parents some time to relax. (Saturdays, Sundays; $6.99 per person, plus tax)

Gaylord Palms Easter 2017 - Atrium Flowers — Gaylord Palms Resort

The Relâche Spa is getting wrapped up in the Easter festivities offering a fresh, hands-on family activity as the spa team supplies the ingredients to create a custom salt scrub and egg-shaped bunny bath fizz. When the activity is completed, guests will be able to bring home a fragrant sample of the Relâche experience. (Fridays, Saturdays; $13.99 per kit, plus tax – recommended for children 5 years of age and older)

Gaylord Palms Easter 2017 - Spring Scrub and bunny — Gaylord Palms Resort

Young guests enjoying Easter Sunday at Gaylord Palms Resort can romp and roam the outdoor Coquina Lawn during an Easter Egg Dash to snatch up 1,000 multi-colored eggs filled with sweet treats. (Easter Sunday, April 16 at 11 a.m.; complimentary for resort guests)

Gaylord Palms Easter 2017 - Easter Egg Dash — Gaylord Palms Resort

Now about the new Cypress Springs Water Park! Families know this area for its zero-entry family pool, treehouse water play structure, and four water slides. BUT thanks to a a recent $4.2 million addition thrill seekers will get to know this area of the Resort, too!

New waterslide structure Big Cypress towers nearly 60 feet above the pools, daring brave guests to climb up to experience the mix of three new slides created for adrenaline junkies. The Florida Free Fall is an AquaDrop slide that dispenses guests through a trapdoor into a 35-foot free-fall and flatline loop, ending in a centrifugal force finalChampagne Bowl splashdown. Just beneath the drop slide, the Tamiami Twister racing slides allow pairs of guests to speed through the twisting, high speed dual body flumes to see who arrives down below first!

Gaylord Palms Easter 2017 - Water Slide Drop — Gaylord Palms Resort

The other signature addition to Cypress Springs is The Wake Zone, a Double FlowRider offering a surfable simulated wave for guests. Positioned at the southern end of the zero-entry family pool, guests can watch one another learn and master how to flowboard with the onsite training staff.

Gaylord Palms Easter 2017 - Flow Rider

Easter Eggstravaganza Weekends room packages start at $169 per night, plus tax and resort fee, and are available Friday and Saturday nights from March 31st to April 15th (based on availability). For additional information or to book your getaway, visit their website.

Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival #corksandcoasters

If you are still trying to figure out what you are doing this weekend, why not consider a trip to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s third annual Food & Wine Festival DNCE and Walk Off The Earth take the stage!

Don’t know much about the Festival? I’ve got you covered!

The Festival features 13 different culinary cabins that guests can experience throughout the park, each with its own special menu including three new cabins, Tasty Taquiera, Cooking with Coke® Pavilion and Fry Fusion Presented by Coca-Cola®. With a menu of more than 35 delectable dishes designed specifically for the event, including signature dishes and exciting new cuisine like duck tacos, lobster ravioli, bacon mac & cheese, brown sugar rubbed pork belly, banana foster panna cotta and cabernet-filled chocolates, as well as an expanded selection of wines, craft brews and cocktails.

The festival takes place on Saturdays and Sundays now through April 30, and the best part is that these concerts, held at 7pm, are included with any Pass, Fun Card, or daily admission!!!

Busch Gardens Tampa Food and Wine Festival 2017 DNCE

DNCE- Saturday, April 1 at Gwazi Park – 7 p.m.

Formed in the summer of 2015, DNCE first introduced themselves to audiences worldwide with the unexpected release of their debut single “Cake by the Ocean,” their now certified double-platinum breakout smash which has made them one of 2016’s most buzzworthy acts. Released in September 2015 and included on the group’s 4-track debut EP, SWAAY (Republic Records), the song entered the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became a hit at Top 40 radio, where it went top three on the Pop Songs Radio Chart. Internationally, “Cake By The Ocean” reached Top 10 on iTunes in over 10 countries and has generated over 350 million streams on Spotify worldwide. Their second single “Toothbrush” was an instant radio hit and was added to powerhouse Top 40 radio stations like New York’s Z100 and Los Angeles’ KIISFM. The music video for the song stars sultry supermodel Ashley Graham and has garnered wide critical praise from media outlets like Entertainment Weekly, InStyle, People and Rolling Stone. To date, the video has amassed over 50 million views and has been certified gold by the RIAA. With a recent win at the MTV Video Music Awards for “Best New Artist” under their belt, the group has shown no signs of slowing down, recently announcing the upcoming release of their highly anticipated self-titled debut album, DNCE. Available November 18th on Republic Records, the album features the band’s latest hit anthem, “Body Moves.” Assembled by frontman Joe Jonas in the summer of 2015, DNCE’s all-star bandmates include bassist & keyboardist Cole Whittle, who co-founded the band Semi Precious Weapons, South Korean bred guitarist JinJoo, who has toured with the Jonas Brothers, Charli XCX, and CeeLo Green, and drummer Jack Lawless, who has previously joined the Jonas Brothers, Night Terrors of 1927, and Soft Swells on the road.

Walk Off The Earth – Sunday, April 2 at Gwazi Park – 7 p.m.

Walk Off The Earth, the chart-topping viral hit-makers who have extended the boundaries of what a 21st century band can bring to pop music and pop culture, released their Columbia Records sophomore album, ‘Sing It All Away,’ in 2015. The multi-platinum selling Canadian quintet, Marshall, Gianni Luminati, Taylor, Joel Cassady, and Sarah Blackwood, had already established a significant global following when their cover of Gotye’s “Somebody I Used To Know,” ignited the blogosphere, eventually garnering 164 million views, and landing the band a recording contract with Columbia Records. To date, they’ve accumulated almost half billion cumulative views and more than 2 million subscribers. Their single, “Red Hands,” generated 11 million Spotify streams and spent five weeks at #1 on AAA radio. Most notably, however, they are one of the few artists to continually and successfully find success on both DIY online platforms and throughout the traditional music marketplace.

Busch Gardens Tampa Food & Wine Festival Chef Norman Van Aken

In addition to chart topping concerts, this year Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has added more ways to savor the festival including:

SPECIAL PACKAGES:

Food & Wine Festival VIP Priority Seating – VIP Priority Seating is available for each concert date. Reservations start at $24.99.

Food & Wine Sampler – Guests with exclusive interests in culinary offerings can purchase a Food & Wine sampler that includes any samples of choice throughout the Festival. Samplers are available in quantities of five, eight or twelve and start at $29.99.

Wine by the Bottle – Guests can take home a part of the Food & Wine Festival with wine available for purchase by the bottle in select gift shops, including Xcursions, Nature’s Kingdom and Tiger Trail.

SeaWorld Orlando Summer Camps For Kids

I can’t believe it’s that time again…but it is time to start registering kids for Summer Camps and one of the most popular in the City Beautiful are hosted by SeaWorld Orlando!

SeaWorld Orlando Summer Camps 2017 Campers watching dolphins jump — SeaWorld Orlando

The popular camps offer one-of-a-kind educational, exciting encounters that can’t be found in a traditional classroom. Each camp includes up-close experiences with marine animals designed to encourage a lifelong passion for wildlife and the environment. Registration is now open for 2017 sessions which run weekly June 5 through August 4.

Each week, campers are immersed in the wonders of the sea through exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunities and educational sessions along with the opportunity to experiences SeaWorld’s amazing attractions, rides and shows. The opportunities campers receive are unparalleled: first-hand experiences with veterinarians, animal trainers and animal care staff. During camp, attendees around surrounded by aquatic life as they make friends, have fun, explore and create lifelong memories.

SeaWorld Camps provide a learning environment that fosters exploration and self-discovery. Campers from choose to take part in two types of camp experiences:

Day Camps: During their week, participants learn about a variety of animals, including whales, dolphins, penguins and sea lions. Campers focus on a particular theme throughout the week.

SeaWorld Orlando Summer Camps 2017 Shark Touch Pool — SeaWorld Orlando

Each day they learn about different species through songs, take-home arts and crafts, time with zoological staff, up-close animal encounters and more. Children going into preschool through 8^th grade can take part in SeaWorld’s Day Camp. Daily lunch, snacks, a camp T-shirt and water bottle are included.

Resident Camps: Created especially for students interested in potential careers with animals, Resident Camps provide extensive experiences and hands on learning. Students going in to 7th-12^th grade learn what it takes to train and work with marine animals.

SeaWorld Orlando Summer Camps 2017 Resident Camps — SeaWorld Orlando

Sessions include personal one-on-one time with a penguin and other animals, the chance to snorkel while submerged in a shark cage, opportunities to work with the animal care staff and the ability to help SeaWorld’s team create enriching environments for the animals. Residents also get to experience a full day at Discovery Cove, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling with tropical fish and rays, and feeding exotic birds in a free-flight aviary. Resident Camp fee includes all camp activities, lodging onsite at SeaWorld and at a partner hotel for five nights, all meals and snacks. Supervision and guidance is provided 24 hours a day for the entire duration. Resident Camps are so popular, many campers fly in from around the country; these campers receive transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport by the dedicated camp staff to start their camp experience.

SeaWorld Orlando Summer Camps 2017 Campers at Underwater Viewing 2 — SeaWorld Orlando

Prices for Day Camp start at $350 for one week; Resident Camp pricing starts at $1200 for one week. After camp care is also available from 3 to 5 p.m. for an extra fee. Parents are able to register their children online at SeaWorldCamps.com/Orlando or by calling 407-545-5550.

Annual Passholder Preview of Pandora – The World of Avatar

Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will want to keep an eye out for an email from Disney Destinations with the opportunity to register to be among the first to explore Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

You’re invited to visit a groundbreaking destination, Pandora—The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom_® Theme Park. Here, you’ll be among the first to experience expeditions where you can fly on the back of a banshee, walk under floating mountains and navigate a mystical Na’vi river.

This world beyond belief awaits you!As this is an early exploration of Pandora—The World of Avatar, please note that access to some areas of the Valley of Mo’ara on Pandora may be limited during your visit. The number of reservations for this event are limited and subject to availability.

Current Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can register themselves and four guest from their Friends & Family List on their My Disney Experience Account to attend a two hour preview of the Valley of Mo’ara starting May 13th.

The preview window is 2 weeks, and there are 3 time slots available per day from 12 pm – 2 pm, 3 pm – 5 pm, and 6 pm -8 pm.

When you are signing up for a slot make sure at no time do you hit the back button, because the system does queue you up and if you hit the back button it could affect your registration process.

Once you have registered you will receive a confirmation email, and here’s the fine print:

Passholder In-Park Preview for Pandora – The World of Avatar

All Guests must be Passholders in order to register for a time slot to preview Pandora – The World of Avatar.
Guests may only register for one (1) time slot over the course of the preview period.
If an Annual Passholder would like to register a Guest to accompany them, that Guest must also have a valid annual pass for admission to the event’s theme park location on the date of the event, be listed on your Family & Friends list and have opted to share “All My Plans” with you.
Passholders with confirmed reservations will receive an additional email with details on how to check in for this experience, by May 12, 2017.
All Guests must present their valid annual pass (or linked MagicBand), government issued ID and confirmation page to a Cast Member in order to enter Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and Pandora – The World of Avatar on the date of your preview.
Availability is subject to change without notice.
Event is subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather.
Guests must meet appropriate boarding and height requirements for the attractions.
Capacity is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Due to limited capacity, modifications to existing reservations will not be available.
Limit one reservation per Passholder. Reservations are nontransferable and void if sold or otherwise transferred.

Once you have registered, if you have any issues you can call the passholder line at (407) 560-7277. (Just a warning that at the time of publishing this post wait times were almost an hour)

Keep in mind that these emails do go out in waves, so if you haven’t received yours yet be patient!!! While you wait, make sure that all of your family members and friends My Disney Experience accounts are connected to make registration easier!

Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson Coming To Orlando

I grew up with a father who was a HUGE Jethro Tull fan, and this November the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will host Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson in the art center’s Walt Disney Theater on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at 8 pm.

Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

The anticipated concert will feature a solid collection of the best-known Tull repertoire from 1968 to date. Fans will recognize key songs from various albums – songs which put Jethro Tull and Ian Anderson on the map in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Many of the songs will be accompanied by big screen HD video elements to enhance the concert experience. Favorites include, “Dharma for One” in 1968, “Bourée,” “Nothing is Easy,” “A New Day Yesterday,” “Living in the Past,” “Aqualung,” “Locomotive Breath,” “My God,” all through “Thick as a Brick” and material from albums of the following three decades. A few recent works round out the concert selection which will vary each performance.

Anderson is accompanied by Tull members David Goodier (bass), John O’Hara (keyboards), Florian Ophale (guitar), and Scott Hammond (drums).

Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson will play in Australia and New Zealand in April of this year, with further dates throughout Europe, South America and the United States, including the Orlando date, later this year.

Tickets are on sale now starting at $35.00 and may be purchased online at drphillipscenter.org, by calling 844.513.2014 , or by visiting the Dr. Phillips Center Box Office at 445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday. Online and phone ticket purchases are subject to handling fees.

A new album from Anderson and England’s The Carducci String Quartet entitled “Jethro Tull – The String Quartets” will be available in March 24, 2017 via The End Records/BMG. The album is available for pre-order on Pledge Music at http://www.pledgemusic.com/.

Wild Florida Welcomes Two Nile Crocodiles

Wild Florida Airboats and Gator Park has welcomed two Nile Crocodiles to its Gator and Wildlife Park. The male and female crocodile pair were among a surplus of reptiles at a park located near the Florida Keys.

Wild Florida Gators March 2017

The 8-foot-long male and 6-foot-long female are acclimating to their new exhibit at Wild Florida and will begin training in the next couple of weeks. Known to be extremely intelligent animals, Wild Florida’s goal is for the crocodiles to eventually respond to their names and various queues.

Wild Florida’s mission has always been to promote a connection with the animals and further educate guests on the species in its wildlife park and nature conservation.

Along with these reptiles, a new animal trainer will join the Wild Florida team. Andrew Biddle will be responsible for training the crocodiles as well as enhancing the daily alligator feeding shows. Biddle has more than 20 years of experience in training and handling several species of animals, including alligators and crocodiles.

Wild Florida Andrew Biddle March 2017

“My mission is teaching the world how amazing animals are. Conservation through education. Giving people the chance to experience opportunities like no other with these amazing animals,” Biddle shared.

In addition to the new crocodiles, the wildlife park is home to various native Florida species and exotic animals such as sloths, lemurs, zebras, tropical birds, and more. Admission to the Gator and Wildlife Park is free with the purchase of an airboat tour, or separately for $18 per adult and $15 per child. Florida residents get 50% off with valid photo ID.

Wild Florida Logo

Wild Florida Airboats and Gator Park, which opened on Lake Cypress in Kenansville 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.

Boardwalk Bowl Hosts PBA Event

Bowlers in the Orlando area have the chance to compete with some of the best bowlers in the world while making a difference.

Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center will be the site of the inaugural PBA South Strike Out Crohn’s and Colitis Open Pro-Am on Friday, March 24. The event benefits the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.

Professional bowler Rhino Page is set to host the event, and scheduled pros include Tommy Jones, Walter Ray Williams Jr., EJ Tackett, Ronnie Russell and Norm Duke.

Bowlers can participate in two ways. For $25, bowlers will receive the Champion for Charity package, which includes a chance to bowl with the professionals, a PBA certificate and a souvenir.

For $40, bowlers will receive the Charitable Competition package, which also includes the chance to compete for monetary prizes.

Both packages allow participants to bowl three games of 3-6-9 with three PBA professionals. The professionals move every game so bowlers can meet and compete with the very best.

A portion of the entry fee will go to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Entries must be paid by Friday, March 24, 2017, at noon. Walk-ins are also welcome for $5 more if space is available. The additional $5 collected from walk-ins will go directly to the foundation.

In addition, on Saturday, March 25, there will be a special Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Fundraising event. It will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.at Boardwalk Bowl.

Participants will be able to bowl and will receive shoe rental and a T-shirt, and there will be music and entertainment. Price for the bowling event is $35. General admission and a T-shirt is $20, and a donation and T-shirt is $30. Sign up must be completed by Thursday, March 23. For more information, email CCFASouthOpen@hotmail.com.

For more information on the PBA South Open Pro-Am, visit the leagues page of the Boardwalk Bowl website here.

2017 Vans Warped Tour Announcement At Full Sail Live

The entire lineup for 2017’s Vans Warped Tour, presented by Journeys, will be unveiled via a LIVE webcast, direct from Full Sail Live, the state-of-the-art performance venue on the campus of Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL on Wednesday, March 22nd at 6pm EST.

Now in its 23rd year, the Vans Warped Tour is the largest traveling music festival in the United States, and the longest-running touring music festival in North America. The festival was originally conceived by founder Lyman in 1995 as an eclectic alternative rock festival, with a focus on punk rock, over the years the tour has grown to include a multitude of genres, including metal, hip hop, reggae, pop and more.

The webcast will feature live performances from a selection of artists performing on this summer’s tour. Fans can tune into the webcast on March 22nd, via vanswarpedtour.com.

A limited number of free tickets to the announcement event will be made available to the public. Space is limited, and will be available on a first come, first served basis. If you are in the Central Florida area and are interested in learning how to attend the event in person, visit www.FullSailBlog.com/VWT.

Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman added, “The entire team at Full Sail University was amazing to work with for the [artist announcement] event last year, so we are honored that they wanted to host the event again. After 22 years on the road, it’s great to have partners like Full Sail University that believe in the tour, its message, and its success.”

Tickets for this year’s tour will go on sale on March 22nd at 10am local time at vanswarpedtour.com, and will be coming to Orlando on June 30th!

As a bonus for early ticket buyers, the first 500 tickets sold for each show will be at the lowest price available and will include a digital download of the Official Vans Warped Tour 50-song compilation.

Ed Sheeran Returns To The Amway Center

Ed Sheeran 2017 Tour Amway Center

If you are like me, you were really excited when multiple Grammy Award-winning global superstar Ed Sheeran announced the details for his North American arena tour included a return to Orlando’s Amway Center on Thursday, August 31.

The tour celebrates Sheeran’s landmark third studio album, “÷.” The album – pronounced “divide” – includes the universal hit singles, “Shape of You” and “Castle On The Hill,” both of which made incredible chart entries after their simultaneous January release. “Shape of You” debuted at number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 – Sheeran’s first time atop the overall chart and has remained there for six weeks total. Meanwhile, “Castle On The Hill” entered the Hot 100 at number six, establishing Sheeran as the first artist to ever have two singles make simultaneous top 10 debuts in the chart’s 58-year history. “Shape of You” was quickly certified double-platinum by the RIAA, while “Castle on the Hill” earned gold — the first two songs released in 2017 to achieve RIAA certifications this year.

Ed Sheeran Orlando Information At-A-Glance:

What:

ED SHEERAN NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

When:

Thursday, August 31, 2017 | 7:30 pm

Where:

Amway Center | Orlando, FL

On Sale:

Friday, March 17, 2017 | 10 am

Tickets:

$36.50, $66.50 & $86.50 (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

Super Ed Sheeran fans will want to make sure that they keep up with him on his Official website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube.