Arabian Nights Will Close Permanently on January 1

Arabian Nights Logo

After a wonderful 25 year run, Arabian Nights Dinner attraction in Kissimmee has announced it will close permanently on January 1st, 2014.

The dream and vision of owner, Mark Miller became reality on February 29th, 1988.  Since then, it has presented more than 10,000 performances for more than 10 million guests.

Miller says, “It has been an honor sharing my passion for the beauty and magic of horses with people from all walks of life over the last 25 years. Unfortunately, we have reached a point where the marketplace demands a cheaper product than we can provide.”

“Arabian Nights, which is the most honored dinner show of all time, was built for the highest excellence, not the lowest price,” Miller explained.  “Just this last August, we once again won the 2013 Orlando Sentinel Award as Best Dinner Show, proving that our quality is still unmatched. I always believed there would be a place for a first class secondary attraction in this market.  I was mistaken.”

“Our mission now is to present the best possible product for the rest of the year so that the people who have loved us over the years will be able to come back and experience the magic of our show one last time.  Then we will be concentrating on how to assist our incredible staff in handling this transition,” Miller added. 

“There is no question that the skill, dedication, work ethic and people skills of our employees have enabled to be the best there is,” Miller said.  “Anyone looking for an incredible employee after the first of the year should call our human resource department immediately.”

“The Arabian Nights Christmas show runs from December 1 – December 31.  We know a lot of Central Florida Residents will want to see the show before we close, and we are offering them half price admission,” Miller said.

Arabian Nights’ parent company, Park Equus Inc., will continue operations and has stated that at the time of closing on December 31, Arabian Nights will have no due payables. 

Arabian Nights is located at 3081 Arabian Nights Blvd. in Kissimmee.  

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Synagogues Close to Walt Disney World

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

Our local Jewish Newspaper has a Synagogue list

RabbiPhoto_small
Rabbi Skolnik of SOJC

For Conservative:

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.

For Egalitarian: Congregation Sinai in Minneola

For Orthodox:  Shul – Bait Ha’Kneset Cong. Ohel Rachel-Leah is Located next to the Lower East Side Restaurant

For Reconstructionist: Contact Celebration Jewish Congregation, they don’t have Shabbat Services listed, but may be able to give you a recommendation.

Inside of Congregation Shalom Aleicheim Synagogue
Inside of Congregation Shalom Aleicheim

For Reform:

Rabbi Engel
Rabbi Engel of CRJ

Congregation Shalom Aleichem is a small synagogue in Kissimmee
Congregation of Reform Judaism is a large synagogue in Orlando
Temple Beth Shalom is a small synagogue in Winter Haven

 

 

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.

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Magical Dining Month Kicks Off With A Special Dinner

Magical Dining Month
Citrus Restaurant Executive Chef and General Manager, Mark Roberts whips up a five-star dinner at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida kicking off Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month. Kid chefs helped cook the island-inspired meal for families of critically ill children.

Local Chef Whips up Five-Star

Dinner at Ronald McDonald House

Charities of Central Florida

to Kick Off Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month

-Pint-sized kid chefs help cooks prepare island-inspired meal for families of critically ill children-

-Special dinner helps kick off Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month Benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida-

 

More than 40 moms, dads, siblings and some very special kids were treated to a five-star Caribbean feast at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida near Florida Hospital today.

Magical Dining Month

Several chef-hat-clad kid “volunteers” worked side-by-side with Citrus Restaurant Executive Chef and General Manager, Mark Roberts as cooks and servers prepared the savory treat to help promote Visit Orlando’s local charitable event, Magical Dining Month.

Magical Dining Ronald McDonald House - 4

Now through the end of September, more than 60 top Orlando-area restaurants like Citrus are offering $33, three-course dinners, with $1 from each meal donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida.

Magical Dining Month

More Magical Dining Month Info…

Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month features more than 60 of Orlando’s top restaurants offering $33 three-course dinners throughout the entire month of September.  More information about Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month, including a complete list of participating restaurants, menus and hotel packages, is available at OrlandoMagicalDining.com.

Citrus Restaurant features regionally inspired new American cuisine. While Citrus is not “historic” or “citrus themed”, the restaurant name is meant to respect Central Florida’s heritage. The Citrus Restaurant concept reflects their interpretation of Florida flavors and ideas like fresh, clean, local and independent. The restaurant is located at 821 North Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando.  To book a reservation, call 407.373.0622.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida (RMHCCF) finds, creates and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and families. The cornerstone program, the Ronald McDonald House®, provides a home away from home that offers comfort and care to families with children receiving treatment at local hospitals and medical facilities in Orlando. Since its inception in 1996, RMHCCF has served over 18,000 families. For more information about the charity, please visit www.rmhccf.org or call (407) 206-0957.

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Oakley Women’s Apparel Isn’t For Socializing

{Sponsored Post}

While many of us hear the name Oakley and think of only sunglasses, I had the opportunity to visit the Oakley Store at the Florida Mall to take a peek at their Women’s line of running gear.

Oakley Store Florida Mall
Oakley Store Florida Mall

And I have to say that now when I think of Oakley, I am going to think of how their women’s running gear is awesome!

Oakley Women's Line

The first thing that I like about the line of clothing is that it starts at a reasonable price point, while still providing great quality and neat features and details.

I know this may sound silly, but I also am a fan of a thumb cut-out on the cuff of a Flexibility Hoodie! This simple little feature helps keep your hands a little warmer without lugging around gloves.

Oakley Flexible Hoodie
Oakley Flexible Hoodie

The Flexibility Hoodie features moisture–wicking fabric delivers dry comfort, and a nearly seamless design reduces chafing during big swings and precision approaches. The seams that do exist are flat and specifically designed to contour to the natural shape of the body for enhanced comfort. With a zip placket and mesh panels at the underarms, this hoodie offers a balance of insulation and breathability.

  • Hydrolix fabric helps wick moisture away for a comfortable fit
  • Strategically placed mesh panels for increased ventilation
  • Engineered, flat seams for natural range of motion
  • Hood for protection from the elements
  • Thumbholes at cuffs to help keep hands and wrists warm
  • Anti–bacterial technology to help fight odor–causing microbes

The other thing that struck me about the Women’s Oakley line of clothing is that they are always finding new technology and techniques to make their gear work the best for you.

Oakley Race Day Tank
Oakley Race Day Tank

The Oakley Race Day Tank was my favorite tank! While being super cute, it also has a lot of great features!

  • O Hydrolix fabric manages moisture to keep you comfortable on the move
  • Seamless construction reduces irritations
  • Anti–bacterial action reduces the effects of odor–causing microbes
  • Adjustable straps and contoured stretch fabric create a customized, comfortable fit
  • Built–in bra controls bounce

But my favorite design feature of the Race Day Tank, is that it is designed and constructed to stay put as you work out so your tank doesn’t end up higher than you want it to be.

And while there are still a lot of great sunglasses, both for fashion and for athletics, they have something even more fun!

Oakley Women Sunglasses

The Oakley Store at the Florida Mall has a way to customize your own glasses in the store that are ready for you to try and tweak before you buy them.

Oakley Custom Sunglasses Area
Oakley Custom Sunglasses Area

Oakley also has great bags! They have anything from backpacks to totes to foldable duffle bags that are ideal for travel!

Oakley Factory Lite Duffle
Oakley Factory Lite Duffle

As part of this review I was sent a Factory Lite duffel that has been amazing on my two trips to California! It’s a great size bag that was perfect to use as a way to have a little extra wiggle room in case you bought too much or wanted a little extra room in your luggage.

Oakley

I really had a blast touring the Oakley Store at the Florida Mall, and I look forward to bringing you more reviews of their products in the future!

Disclaimer: Through a partnership with Oakley, I received a Factory Lite Duffel bag for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Arabian Nights With Gail

Arabian Nights

Saturday night we had the opportunity to go and see the dinner show Arabian Nights in Kissimmee. It was one of the last nights in June where they were offering a discounted rate if you worked in hospitality, so naturally we had to jump on this offer after having never been before!

We went in a large group and were told to reserve on the phone, then we can all pay separately once we picked up the tickets on the night of the show. However, once we got there we were informed that in order to sit together we must all pay together and only 2 forms of payment can be used. This was a little challenging as not all of us brought cash, so if you go as a group just keep in mind that bringing cash is definitely recommended!

Arabian Nights

As you enter the Arabian Nights building they take your photograph in front of a green screen to then sell to you later in the show. We were told our group of 11 was too many for one picture so we all went separately. it turned out later that you could indeed go in a big group, which was a shame as we would have bought the group photo. So remember to ask for a group one if that’s what you really would like, as many other families had even more members in the same picture and it looked great.

We then walked through the gift shop, which is very tempting, and past some workers selling flashy light up hats, lanyards and pins etc…of course I had to get a photo of them as it looked pretty cool!

Arabian Nights

You walk into the pre-show area to walls painted with murals of horses and cowboys. In the center of the room is the appetizer buffet. This buffet consisted of chips and salsa, and raw vegetables with dip. It was only a small table, but if you like that kind of finger food it was a nice start to the show.

Arabian Nights

Options at the bar before you enter include a few alcohol packages such as $10 for unlimited Bud light or rose wine, or $15 for unlimited spirit cocktails. These had to be purchased at the bar before you entered the show.

It was time to go to our seats, so we were led up the stairs to our section, which despite being further back had a great view of the whole arena, it seems anywhere you get seated would be a good view.

Once we were seated we chose our meal and complimentary soft drinks. They had a decent selection of dishes and provided vegetarian options as well as Kosher. They also suggest if you require any special dietary needs to call at least 24 hrs in advance to discuss the options with them.Arabian Nights

As the show started they began by introducing some of the horses, and showed how tame they were by bringing down pre selected children to come pet the horse. They then showed how their performers were able to do acrobatics on top of the horses, by using a technique that meant they landed softly and evenly upon the horse’s back.

Arabian Nights

Now the main part of the show started, featuring their current production, American Princess. It features Princess Scheherazade on her 21st Birthday and her genie Abracadabra, who set forth on a mission to find her Prince!

Arabian Nights

During the show we are shown many different Princes, from many different countries and cultures. One of my personal favorites was when we were shown the Gypsy camp, as we were treated to some amazing acrobatics! We saw them riding standing up, one foot on each horse!

Arabian Nights

Some rode in tandem, upon 2 horses performing dance moves normally seen in ballrooms as opposed to on horseback!

Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights

One of the most visually stunning parts was seeing one rider jump through a hoop of fire only to land back perfectly on his cantering horse!

Arabian Nights

A crowd pleasing moment was getting to see the mystical Unicorn enter the arena! The music and the lights really added to the elegance of the moment, all you could hear was gasps as the unicorn majestically walked in!

Arabian Nights

Another favorite of mine was when the Native American entered on his horse! The horse was painted in day glow markings, so when they shone the black light spot light on to it, it lit up so beautifully. Smoke covered the arena floor and the track they played, “End Of Innocence” by Enigma, created such a powerful visual! Easily my favorite part of the whole show, I literally did not take my eyes off the horse! it was stunning!

Arabian Nights

Along the journey, Abracadabra must protect the Princess from the evil Prince Vaneer, who’s outlook appears to be “if I can’t have her, no one can”.

Arabian Nights

Toward the end of the show, we are brought back to America, and a visually beautiful performance was put on filled with a lot of patriotism, but also a salute to other nations around the world.

Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights

The food we had during the show was average at best, including the dessert. But the service was friendly and they were very much on top of keeping our drinks filled up throughout.

Arabian Nights

After the show was a lot of fun as they let all the horses out into the arena, and it was so cute to watch them frolic around and rub on the floor! I had no idea horses did the rubbing on the floor like dogs and cats do! It was so precious to watch! It also gave the audience a chance to take photos alongside some of the performers and to pet the horses. As we were seated further back it was fun to come down and see the horses up close.

Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights

When you leave the arena you are given an opportunity to line up and take a photo with some of the lead characters if you wished. There was no intermission during the show so my advice is don’t go to the first restroom you see, the line was terrible. Go to the next one back in the appetizer pre show room, much quieter!

Arabian Nights

On the whole we really enjoyed this show, and although the food provided isn’t great, the show is really unique and we really had fun seeing it! A fun group activity also!

Arabian Nights

To make reservations at Arabian Nights you can book on-line at www.arabian-nights.com or call on 407-239-9223.

 

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My Monsterous Summer Preview

Monsterous Summer

I had the pleasure of attending the Walt Disney World Monsterous Summer Media Preview last week, and it was great to learn so much about all the fun there is to be had this summer at the Walt Disney World Resort!

Disney’s Monstrous Summer is going to have a little something for everyone! It’s the first summer of fun in New Fantasyland, this summer the surprises of Limited Time Magic continue, and some all-new adventures begin around the Resort including the opportunity play pirate in the Magic Kingdom or becoming a wilderness explorer with badges galore in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The Monstrous Summer lineup is inspired by the June 21 release of the Disney-Pixar animated feature, “Monsters University.” Mike and Sulley are dropping in from MU to scare up monstrous surprises! An all-new collegiate setting for meeting their favorite aspiring scarers will be on the Backlot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have a great view of the MU Campus. Also at the Magic Kingdom MU students have been studying new jokes to bring to the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor!

But the event wasn’t just about Mike, Sulley, and their friends! It was an event full of some great announcements, so let’s take a look at what I learned all about…

Monsterous Summer – Special Events

May the 4th Be With You  – In honor of Star Wars day, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be hosting “May the 4th Be with You!”—a one-of-a-kind Star Wars-themed celebration for the whole family. During this Limited Time Magic Event, you will be able to meet iconic characters, parents will be able to join their fellow Padawans in a special family Jedi Training Academy, purchase special merchandise with messages like “May the Fourth Be with You” and “Revenge of the Fifth”, you can join DJ Lobot for a Star Wars-themed Dance Party, and at the end of the day you can take a seat on Hollywood Boulevard and settle in for “Symphony in the Stars,” a spectacular fireworks display set to close the celebration. Catch all the amazing sights and sounds, the likes of which haven’t been seen since the fall of the Empire!

Monsterous Summer

Pull an All-Nighter to Celebrate the beginning of Summer – A larger than life Mike Mike Wazowski joined us to tell us all about another 24 hour celebration coming to both coasts on May 24th. You can find all of the details about the All-Nighter here.

httpv://youtu.be/OBRYUUO29LM

Downtown Disney Revs Up for Car Masters Weekend June 14-16 -Car Masters Weekend, now in its third year, is the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day as Downtown Disney West Side hosts a classic car show with a modern twist June 14-16, 2013. Featuring all things “Cars,” the event showcases more than 150 classic, muscle and exotic cars; a chance for guests to meet “Cars 2″ stars Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile; and special appearances by automotive designer Chip Foose and Disney-Pixar “Cars” filmmaker Jay Ward. Completing the car-nucopia of events, fans may purchase tickets for a ”Cars” & “Cars 2″ movie marathon at AMC Downtown Disney 24, “test drive” Ridemakerz “Cars” models, and enjoy caricatures, themed food and beverage, live entertainment and more. Entertainment subject to change.

Monsterous Summer – New Offerings

Senses, A Disney Spa At Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort – Joining later this summer its sister spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, the new Senses Spa at Saratoga Springs will be inspired by the healing properties of natural springs that have drawn people for centuries to Saratoga Springs in upstate New York. A completely redesigned space, Senses, A Disney Spa At Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, will feature 10 treatment rooms offering an array of services including water therapy, massage and facials. Senses will incorporate the springs, nature and the storyline of health in its design and theming. For reservations and information, you can call 407-WDW-SPAS.

Wilderness Explorers Comes to Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Coming this spring Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests will be invited to become Wilderness Explorers and experience the park in engaging and challenging ways aimed at deepening their understanding of animals and the natural world we live in. When you sign up and take the official pledge, you set off with your field guide and in hopes to earn all 30 sticker badges of the Wilderness Exlplorers!  You will have to complete challenges as you explore the park and all of its rich details. While this activity is aimed at guests 7-10, it really looks like fun for the entire family! Who doesn’t love stickers? Wilderness Explorers will be self-guided and encourage more “up close and personal” time with the animal inhabitants of the park, and Wilderness Explorers will be included in Disney’s Animal Kingdom admission.

Monsterous Summer

New Meet-Up with Mickey, Minnie at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are scheduled to welcome Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests to their new exploration headquarters, Adventurers Outpost, on Discovery Island, beginning this spring. The all-new indoor retreat is the perfect spot for guests to meet the globetrotting duo as they get ready to set off on their next adventure.

A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas – In testing now and scheduled to debut this Spring, “A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas” will be a new interactive adventure where Magic Kingdom guests participate in pirate raids throughout Adventureland. Pirate maps lead to fabulous treasures as guests join Captain Jack Sparrow and fight off the Royal Navy, Captain Barbossa, headhunters, curses — and the greatest threat of all, Calypso, the sea goddess. If they help Jack succeed in all the missions, they will be welcomed as part of his new crew. If not, they face the wrath of the cruel sea…alone. The adventure is divided into 5 different raids, each comprising a series of interactive tasks.

httpv://youtu.be/kUZOEV_k46I

Disney Dining – Coming by summer’s end: a re-imagined California Grill crowning Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Guests will experience a beautiful new dining room, onstage kitchen and new dining choices – chef Brian Piasecki will keep the focus on creative, fresh, seasonal dishes, and top-of-the-line sushi.  At Epcot, what says summer better than ice cream? The France Pavilion will be expanding with L’Artisan des Glaces, an artisan ice cream and sorbet shop, debuts in mid-June with 16 yummy flavors, all made in-house with fresh ingredients (with the option of adding a shot of liquor on top, for grown-up tastes).

Summer Latte, Anyone? More Starbucks Locations Coming to Disney Parks -Starbucks will be opening locations at Disney theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resortt. When it reopens in early summer, Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom will keep its name and theming and continue to serve Disney favorites such as cookies, brownies and seasonal cupcakes, in addition to Starbucks signature beverages and other menu items. At Epcot, Starbucks products will be featured when the Fountain View location reopens for midsummer. Each Starbucks location inside a Disney Park will reflect the theme of its surroundings.

New Summer Line of Disney Parks Cosmetics – In time for summer, fairy tale legends and secrets come to life with the captivating new Unlock the Spell collection from Beautifully Disney, Disney Parks’ line of cosmetics and beauty products. The new-for-summer collection — inspired by the spellbound Tiana, Belle and Rapunzel — is rich in lush colors: soft, pretty yellow, rosy golds, and punchy purples. Unlock the Spell will make its debut at Trend-D at Downtown Disney.

New Disney Dooney Pattern – This spring, a new pattern of Disney Dooney and Bourke purses will be released at TrenD. This coated canvas, features a bold and fun type spelling out Minnie and Mickey with Mickey and Minnie Heads.The colors are more of a neon/bright color and are really on point! It’s a really great and versatile pattern that is great for casual fun or taking to the office. I can’t wait to bring one home for myself!

Monsterous Summer

Monsterous Summer

Disney Ray-Ban Sunglasses – Disney Ray-Ban sunglasses will be coming this spring, and they are adorable! Available in both original Wayfarer styles, they feature a black and white Mickey pattern. What will be really interesting, is to see if the black version with the Mickey pattern on the inside will be considered ‘Disney Look’…I have my fingers crossed for all my Cast Member friends!!!

Monsterous Summer

Monsterous Summer – Announcements

Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade – The Magic Kingdom will be replacing the ‘Celebrate a Dream Come True’ Parade with the Festival of Fantasy Parade that will be stepping off in the Spring of 2014. This all-new parade will bring a celebration of New Fantasyland to life through innovative parade floats, costumes, and an original soundtrack of familiar favorites and a specially crafted parade theme song. The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade will specifically highlight the stories of “The Little Mermaid,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Dumbo,” “Pinocchio,” “Peter Pan,” “Tangled” and the Disney●Pixar film “Brave” among others.

Monsterous Summer

Monsterous Summer

Disney Magic Overhaul – There’s an extra dose of magic coming aboard the  Disney Cruise Line Disney Magic! The Disney Magic is the first ship of the fleet, and will be getting a “re-imagineering” transformation during dry dock from Sept. 7 through Oct. 10, 2013. The fleet’s flagship  will be receiving a new atrium, restaurant, improved dining experience in Palo, an update to the senses spa, additions in the kid’s club areas (I am most excited about the Avenger’s Academy addition),  new pool and water play areas, as well as two all new slides! It is going to be amazing! I can’t wait to take the plunge on the AquaDunk!

Monsterous Summer

httpv://youtu.be/qCmyUmJFp1s

As you can see from my crazy long pos (sorry) there is a lot of great new experiences coming to Walt Disney World this Summer!!!

In the next few days I will be sharing more information and pictures from the Monsterous Summer Media Preview!

What are you most excited about?

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Weekly Review – Our Week On The Go October 1-5, 2012

Weekly Review – Our Week On The Go October 1-5, 2012

Weekly Review time!!! This past week here at On the Go has been crazy busy, but a total blast!!!

Now it’s time to look back at all that happened October 1st – 5th!!!

Let’s Go!

Happy 30th Birthday EPCOT!!! I took a look back at my first visit to EPCOT Center in 1986 with some quality Fisher Price Camera Pictures of some of my favorite rides!

EPCOT30 Weekly Review
I think everyone who rode Horizons has this memory planted in their minds.

It’s after midnight, and Cinderella Diamond Edition is out on BluRay! I review this stunning and chocked full of Extras DVD Release. Even if you already own Cinderella, I would run out and get Cinderella Diamond Edition!!!

Cinderella Diamond Edition Weekly Review
Cinderella Diamond Edition Available on October 2, 2012

The Orlando Home Show was this weekend, and it was full of great ideas for your home and the fabulous Mark Brunetz was there, too!!!

Orlando Home Show Weekly Review
Orlando Home Show – October 5-7, 2012

Disney Interactive has launched a Daily Shot with Ali Wentworth App! Fans of Popular Newsy Web Series Daily Shot with Ali Wentworth Can Now Get Their Daily Cup of News and Laughter to Go with the Daily Shot App!

Daily Shot Weekly Review
Daily Shot Now Available in the App Store!

Wordless Wednesday took us to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Lobby of the Tower Hotel.

Wordless Wednesday Weekly Review
Wordless Wednesday – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Tower of Terror

LEGOLAND Florida is Celebrating their First Birthday with tons of great savings and prizes for Florida Residents on October 15th!

LEGOLAND Florida Birthday Celebration Weekly Review
LEGOLAND Florida Birthday Celebration Will Be Full Of Prizes, Savings, and Fun!

Aurora and I had the unique opportunity to see another side of Titanic: The Experience, and it was a ghostly good time!

Titanic the Experience Weekly Review
Titanic: The Experience

Betsy took us along for another look at the Art of Animation Resort, because since all of the sections of the Resort have opened she has some new favorite details!

Art of Animation Resort Weekly Review
Loyal Order of the Lugnuts

Heather Thomson, from the hit Bravo show the Real Housewives of New York, will be speaking on October 21st during the Women for Israel Breakfast at the Hilton Orlando to benefit the Jewish National Fund.

Heather Thomson Weekly Review

And we ended the week with some news that made this WWE FanGirl get excited, WWE NXT is going to be at Full Sail Live! On October 11th!

WWE NXT Weekly Review
WWE NXT is taping at Full Sail Live! on October 11th! Photo Courtesy of Central FL Top 5!!!

Thanks for joining us this week at On the Go, and we can’t wait to bring you even more posts next week!!! We’ll be looking at some fun activities at SeaWorld Orlando, the Richard Petty Experience, some Food and Wine Festival Fun, and more!

And now for the shameless plugs…

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Weekly Review – Our Week On The Go September 3-7

Weekly Review – Our Week On The Go September 3-7

Weekly Review time!!! This past week here at On the Go has been full of great stuff, and now it’s time to look back at all that happened September 3-7!!!

Let’s get this party started!!!

We started the week with a look at SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team’s efforts to save stranded pilot whales. SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team, along with several local agencies, responded on September 1, 2012, to 22 short-finned pilot whales that stranded at Florida’s Avalon State Park Beach in St. Lucie County.

SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team Weekly Review
SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team, along with several agencies, responded to 22 short-finned pilot whales that stranded at Florida’s Avalon State Park Beach in St. Lucie County.

Tuesday, Aurora looked back on our time with the Orlando City Soccer Club this season.

Orlando City Soccer Weekly Review
Orlando City Soccer shoots and SCORES during their last game of the 2011-2012 Season!

Wordless Wednesday took us to one of my favorite moments in Wishes!

Wordless Wednesday Weekly Review
Wordless Wednesday – Wishes!

Scared Shrekless Family Fun is coming to the Gaylord Palms Resort this Halloween offering guests the opportunity to scare up some fun with their favorite characters from Shrek, Madagascar, and Kung Fu Panda!

Scared Shrekless at Gaylord Palms Resort Weekly Review
Scared Shrekless at Gaylord Palms Resort – October 13th and 27th

Betsy took us along on the final leg of her Disneyland in this amazing Trip Report!

httpv://youtu.be/O11z4CWTpqc

We also took a look at the adorable The Tigger Movie that is out now on Blu-Ray.

The Tigger Movie Weekly Review
The Tigger Movie is available now on Blu Ray!

And we ended the week with a giveaway that would make any woman happy…A chance to win a pair of Custom Christian Louboutin shoes! In honor of Disney’s global release of the classic animated masterpiece “Cinderella”, which will be available in Blu-ray™ Diamond Edition on October 2, 2012, Walt Disney Studios, in collaboration with Christian Louboutin and Glam Media, today reveal details of their national quest to find a modern-day Cinderella. One lucky woman whose style and fashion sense best embodies the Cinderella fairytale will ultimately be awarded with a pair of original Cinderella slippers re-imagined by world-renowned shoe designer Christian Louboutin during a private event at Disneyland, CA taking place on September 27th.

Cinderella Christian Louboutin Giveaway
Enter the Cinderella Christian Louboutin Giveaway Today!

Thanks for joining us our Weekly Review at On the Go, and we can’t wait to bring you even more posts next week!!! We’ll be covering Nights of Joy at the Magic Kingdom, Disney on Ice: Rockin’ Ever After, LEGOLAND going to galaxies far away, and a ghostly Titanic Experience!

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Weekly Review August 27-31: Our Week On The Go!

Weekly Review: August 27 – August 31, 2012: Our Week on The Go!

Hidden Gems of WDW, Orlando City Soccer, Halloween at LEGOLAND Florida, Magic Kingdom in the Fall, And Solar Bears Hockey

 

Its Weekly Review Time!!!! This past week here at On the Go has been full of great stuff, and its almost my favorite time of year which makes me even more excited about all that is going on around Orlando! Now it’s time to look back, with our Weekly Review, at all that happened her at On the Go in MCO August 27th to August 31st!!!

Let’s Go!

On Monday, Megan started the week off with a look at a really fun Hidden Gem at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa!

Grand Floridian Entrance - Weekly Review
Grand Floridian Entrance

Tuesday, Aurora got us pumped up for Orlando City’s upcoming Playoff Game!

Orlando City Soccer  Club - Weekly Review
Cheering for the Orlando City Soccer Club!!!

For this week’s Wordless Wednesday, I looked at the parade that I absolutely adore!

Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom - Weekly Review
Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom

LEGOLAND Florida is adding Brick-Or-Treat, a Halloween Celebration, to its special events this year!

LEGOLAND Florida Halloween Brick or treat House - Weekly Review
LEGOLAND Florida Halloween Brick-Or-Treat House

The fall is our favorite time of year here at On the Go in MCO, and Betsy took us around the Magic Kingdom Fall Decorations that have gone up!

Magic Kingdom Fall Decorations - Train Station Weekly Review
Magic Kingdom Fall Decorations on the Main Street Train Station really set the mood for the Fall!

We love our Orlando City Soccer Club, and we wanted to take a more in-depth look at their Playoff Game!

Orlando City Soccer - Weekly Review
Orlando City Soccer Club

And we kept on the sports theme, and ended our week with some information about the Orlando Solar Bears Training Camp that is starting soon!

Orlando Solar Bears - Weekly Review
Orlando Solar Bears

Thanks for joining us for the On the Go Weekly Review, and we can’t wait to bring you even more posts next week!!!

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Magic Kingdom Fall Decorations Have Arrived!

Magic Kingdom Fall Decorations Have Arrived! 

When I arrived the Magic Kingdom on Tuesday, I was both surprised and excited to see that the Magic Kingdom Fall Decorations were already up .

I love this time of year and always look forward to things like seeing fall colors in the decor, especially the yellow and orange buntings used as accents along the Main Street Train Station, the pumpkins carved to match the stores that they are near.

The Magic Kingdom Fall Decorations most importantly mean that Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, MNSSHP, is just around the corner. This year the first Halloween Party is on Tuesday, September 11, and I seriously can’t wait to go.

Each year this special event takes place in the Magic Kingdom on select nights in September and October, even running until the beginning of November. It is my favorite special event of the entire year, so I cannot wait to go to MNSSHP in the next few weeks. I hope you are able to go sometime to experience this great party! We will be talking a lot more about the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party very soon!

I also love looking at the Halloween Trading Pins and the Halloween Merchandise that can be found all over Walt Disney World! I am a big fan of holiday merchandise, and this year’s selection definitely doesn’t disappoint. I love all of the nods to the Haunted Mansion and that the characters really capture the spookier side of Halloween.

Finding the Magic Kingdom Fall Decorations was a great way to begin my day, and a great start to a really fun time of year at Walt Disney World! I know that there will be additions to the Magic Kingdom Fall Decorations, so make sure that you follow us on twitter for all the latest pictures and news!

 

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Grand Floridian Resort Lobby’s Hosts Some Beautiful Hidden Gems

Grand Floridian Resort Lobby’s Hosts Some Beautiful Hidden Gems

The other night I was wandering around the lobby at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and as I was listening to the band play I stumbled upon something that I had never seemed to notice before.

As I was admiring the amazing tiles that can be found in the Grand Floridian’s Lobby, I looked a little closer and noticed something for the first time.  Hidden in the marble and stone floors of the resort were some of my most favorite characters.  At first I only noticed the silhouettes of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto in the entry of the lobby.  But as I was about to head out to my car, a friendly Grand Floridian cast member, who had seen me admiring the floor of the lobby, asked me if I had seen the other characters around the lobby.  And when I said that I hadn’t seen any of the other characters, he gave me a detailed tour of the lobby and made sure that I saw all the other hidden characters.  Also hidden in the lobby were Tinkerbell, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Peter Pan and Cinderella dancing at the Ball.

One of my favorite details can be found just above where you find Cinderella at the ball. If you go up the staircase, you will find in the carpet that Cinderella’s Carriage is waiting to whisk her home from her night.

I was amazed that even after all the times, and the countless times that I had walked through the lobby of the Grand Floridan, that I had never seen these hidden gems.

It was a great way to explore the Grand Floridian in a way that I hadn’t done before, and now I can’t wait to explore other resorts to see if I can find other hidden characters and gems!

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The Week in Review: August 19th – August 24, 2012: Halloween, Adventures, Movies, and More!

The Week in Review: August 19th – August 24, 2012: Halloween, Adventures, Movies, and More!

This past week here at On the Go has been full of great stuff, and now it’s time to look back at our Week In Reviews so we can see all that happened August 19th to August 24th!!!

Let’s Go!

On Sunday, we brought you news about Cohen’s Deli Opening a Kosher Hotel Near Walt Disney World!

There is a Kosher Hotel coming to the Walt Disney World Area!

Monday brought us news about the 2012 Halloween Merchandise at Walt Disney World! Halloween is my favorite time of year, and this year the merchandise is well designed and even better than last year’s offerings.

Duffy’s Halloween Costume

We are all really pumped for the Orlando Solar Bears to Come Out of Hibernation, and they have signed a new player!

Simon Danis-Pepin Orlando Solar Bears

Tuesday brought the first in our Girls Night Out in Orlando series, where a few of the gals had a fun night at Universal’s CityWalk!

Wordless Wednesday took us to Animal Kingdom at night for a look at the Tree of Life. Animal Kingdom is a beautiful park at night.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Tree of Life at Night

I also went shopping at DStreet, and found that the Mavericks of Mayhem line by Noah had arrived at Downtown Disney’s Westside!

Mavericks of Mayhem Teams

Thursday started with another installment of Betsy’s California Adventure!

Matterhorn

Then I reviewed Doc McStuffins: Friendship is the Best Medicine, available now on DVD.

Doc McStuffins: Friendship Is The Best Medicine Available August 21, 2012 on DVD

Nights of Joy are coming to Walt Disney World, and we look at the artists that will be performing this year!

We ended the week with Cheryl taking us along for her DVC stay at Bay Lake Tower for One More Disney Day.

Disney Vacation Club Bay Lake Towers Couch Area
Disney Vacation Club Bay Lake Towers Couch Area (courtesy of Betsy Bates)

We also gave away two tickets for the Big Time Summer Tour with Big Time Rush with Special Guest Cody Simpson, coming to the Amway Center on August 28, 2012.

Catch Big Time Rush at the Amway Center with Special Guest Cody Simpson August 28th at 7pm!!!

And finally we took a look at two new logos that the Orlando Solar Bear will be using!

Orlando Solar Bears Opening Night Logo

Thanks for joining us this week in review at On the Go, and we can’t wait to bring you even more posts next week!!!

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Cohen’s Deli Opens New Kosher Hotel Near Disney World

A new Kosher Hotel is opening its doors in the Disney area.

It will be open year round to serve the Jewish Community worldwide.This is a joint venture between Cohen’s Kosher Deli and WorldGate Resort. This is a huge step in the development of Cohen’s as a business who serves and supports the Jewish community in Florida. The resort hotel is now Kosher and Offers Kosher events and kosher dining as part of its main business.

This will be a unique hotel and WorldGate resort and Cohen’s are planning on a spectacular Rosh Hashana and Sukkot program.
Rosh Hashana
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The Week in Review: August 6 – August 10, 2012: Movies, DVC, and Orlando Sports…Oh My!

The Week in Review: August 6 – August 10, 2012

It has been another amazing week here at On the Go, and now let’s take a look back at how the first full week of August went down!!!

Let’s do this thing!

On Monday, Todd Perlmutter, of Disney Film Project fame, takes a break from taking the blame about everything around here to take a spoiler free look at The Odd Life of Timothy Green.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

Looking for an opportunity to volunteer in the UCF area? Or are you looking for a 5K to run? Are you a huge college sports fan? If you answered yes, you might want to check out the Inaugural Orlando Health Gridiron 5K Challenge, that our friends at the Central Florida Sports Commission have created!

2012 Gridiron 5K Challenge

Check out our review of the latest Disney Chanel Original Movie Let It Shine on DVD and enter for your chance to win a copy!

Let It Shine Comes to DVD August 7, 2012

This week’s Wordless Wednesday takes us over to the Hollywood Drive-In Golf at Universal’s CityWalk!

Hollywood Drive-In Golf Golf at Universal Citywalk

Earlier this summer we told you about SeaWorld rescuing a pregnant manatee that gave birth to an adorable calf, and we updated you about their return to their home in Merritt Island, Florida.

SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue team prepares calf and mom for transport to Sykes Creek.

Thursday, we were really excited to let you know about Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month returning this year in September! This is definitely something you are going to want to check out!!!

We are all super excited about the Solar Bears returning to the ice in Orlando, and they will be returning under their 2001 Turner Cup Championship Banner!

And we wrapped up the week with Cheryl taking a look back at her DVC stay at the Beach Club Villas!

Beach Club Villas Studio Main Room
Beach Club Villas Studio Main Room (courtesy of Betsy Bates)

Then finally I took a look at the really cool tokidoki MARVEL merchandise that is available at DStreet!

Tokidoki MARVEL Men’s T-Shirt

Thanks for joining us this week at On the Go, and we can’t wait to bring you even more posts next week!!!

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Why We Are All Orlando City Soccer Club Fans!

So as everyone knows, I love to do new things! A few nights ago Shelley and I (and then two nights later Shalon and I) went to our first Orlando City Soccer Club match and I have to say they have made fans for LIFE!

Follow The Fans!!!!

The Orlando City Soccer Club is an American professional soccer team based in Orlando, Florida, United States. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. Their Colors are Purple, Red and Gold and White and their mascot is the Lion.

Orlando City Lions

The ownership group, originally identified as Orlando Pro Soccer, was announced on March 4, 2010, and was initially affiliated with the Orlando Titans National Lacrosse League team. However, the Titans ran into financial difficulties. Steve Donner left the Titans club after the 2010 NLL season to focus on the soccer effort. In October 2010, the Orlando Pro Soccer USL rights were purchased by Phil Rawlins, a board member of EnglishPremier League club Stoke City, who moved the Austin Aztex organization to Orlando. The team was announced on October 25, 2010. Rawlins stated at the press conference that he intends to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Orlando “within 3–5 years”, and intends to bring international matches to the city as well. Rawlins is President and majority owner of the club’s ownership group, Orlando Sports Holdings. Also in the group is Brendan Flood, a board member of English Championship club Burnley. Rawlins announced that the Aztex organization would remain intact in Orlando, with Adrian Heath being retained as manager and most of the team’s players returning as well.

Since then The Orlando City Soccer Club has made their reign very well known in Orlando. In 2011 they were the PSL Pro Champions and they also just clinched that title for 2012 this past Friday in a 4-0 win over the Charleston Battery!

2012 Champions!!!!!

I wish I could explain the energy that these games put off! It is so much fun!!! I have been to big sporting events (Everyone knows I love my Red Sox and Patriots), and for a home town game these fans know how to have FUN!!!! They have Drums, horns, confetti, and chants and it is infectious. Even if you don’t know the words to the chants, You have to jump and clap along!

There are a few different groups that frequent these games.

The Ruckus is the oldest of these groups, whose basis was formed in 2009 as the “Orlando Soccer Supporters Club” without an affiliation to any particular soccer team. They occupy section 119.

The “Iron Lion Firm“, which separated from The Ruckus prior to the start of City’s first season. They run section 121.

The “Orlando Natural Riddim Section” is a Trinidadian drum band that occupies section 109 and plays drums and other percussion instruments throughout home matches.

“Los Guerrilloz”, a Spanish-language barra brava, has formed recently and typically occupies section 128.

For both of the games we hung out in section 121 with the Iron Lion Firm, the ILF!

These Folks know how to have fun!

I got the opportunity to speak to one of the front members of the ILF names Ahmed and he filled me in on what the ILF is about!

Ahmed shared with me that The Iron Lion Firm was formed on March 5th, 2011 by 4 like minded individuals that love the game and culture of soccer and want the sport to flourish here in the states especially Orlando. The ILF are a independent supporters club of Orlando City Soccer Club, with that being said, they fund themselves from within the group for essential items that are crucial to their game day experience; Tailgate supplies, food, streamers, flags, smoke bombs, banners, scarfs and membership T-shirts.

The Iron Lion Firm are a group of culturally diverse individuals and we are a young demographic. Their age group ranges from 17-mid 30’s, but a bulk of the group are in their 20’s. They have about 120 members paying dues to date and that grows throughout the season. Being a paid member get’s you a Purple Iron Lion Firm T-shirt with the club crest on the front, discounts on other merchandise that they create throughout the year such as scarfs, and a discount at their home pub (R.S. Busby’s Orlando) where they host their meetings at. It’s pretty crazy how a group of 4 guys who love the game and want Major League Soccer here in the city beautiful can spread like wildfire just after the first season of being together.

The songs & chants are mostly created or donated by other members & translated into English. They have chants both in English & Spanish.
These games have to be some of the most fun things to do in Orlando. When you go you see flags from all over the world. You see fans of every ethnicity and every culture. You see kids getting into it, you see adults, you see grand parents, you see families having picnics in the stands, we even saw people on their first dates!
The games are held at the Citrus Bowl in downtown Orlando. They have vendors selling the typical fair fare all around the entrance. Corn dogs, French fries, nachos and of course Beer! 🙂 They have Orlando City Soccer Merchandise trucks selling T-shirts and Scarves and Jerseys. Stickers and Posters and Balls OH My! And the best part is that the pricing for the games is SUPER affordable!
Pricing for all budgets!
The fact that the players have SO MUCH love for their fans is what has me hooked. They include local boys and girls as the ball kids for the games, the players walk on the field with kids from the local teams at the beginning of the games, and they are always out for pictures and autographs and to even kick the ball around with their fans after the games! The team wants their fans involved. They want people to scream and yell and get rowdy! We even heard from #12 Forward Matt Luzunaris that no matter where they play all over the world, The Orlando City team always has the best and loudest fans!!! Even at away matches. That says a lot! That makes me a proud Orlando Girl!
The Orlando City Soccer Club has play off games coming up and as of right now they only home game listed on their Website is the game on August 17, 2012 against The Dayton Dutch Lions at 7:30pm.
PLEASE Go see these boys in action! Take part in being a fan of Orlando, Soccer and this AMAZING team! Throw on your favorite Purple Shirt, or a red hat, grab a beverage and get ready for some fun!
I want to throw out a huge thanks to Chris Jones who is the Media Relations Coordinator for Orlando City  for hosting our blog at the games and always answering our newbie questions and encouraging us to cheer loudly!
Also a MAJOR Thanks out to Ahmed of the Iron Lion Firm for answering our questions and letting us join in the fun!!!
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