Play Archives - Page 44 of 47

Experiencing The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure At LEGOLAND Florida

The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure has arrived at LEGOLAND Florida Resort bringing a new attraction, new friends, and a new Celebration to the Park!

You can find The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure playing daily in the Wells Fargo 4D Theater.

This theatrical attraction is set after the events of the movie, the 12 ½-minute story finds the gang entangled in an Evil Secret Plot involving a mysterious theme park inspired by their adventures in “The LEGO Movie,” one that requires them to call on the Master Builder skills of a surprise ally to save the day.

The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure was directed by Rob Schrab, who is making his feature film directorial debut with The LEGO Movie Sequel, set to open May 18, 2018. When it came to designing the attraction, he said a strong story was critical to its success.

“We only spotlight them for a fraction of the amount of time,” he said, “so it’s important to get to the fun as soon as possible. This is the first time Emmet, Wyldstyle and the gang meet since the film.”

While Elizabeth Banks (Wyldstyle), Nick Offerman (MetalBeard), Charlie Day (Benny) and Alison Brie (Unikitty) return to voice their characters from The LEGO Movie, Patton Oswalt now joins the gang as the Risky Business, brother of movie villain President Business, a new character created exclusively for the attraction.

The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure is an experience both you and your little ones will want to repeat!!!

To make things even better, after you see the movie you can meet with some of its stars! Zoe got to meet Emmet and Risky Business on the Red Carpet.

But now at LEGOLAND Florida you will also find Benny, MetalBeard, and Unikitty (YES UNIKITTY) meeting guests in the Park.

Starting Feburary 6^thThe LEGO Movie 4D Weekends begin inviting fans to celebrate the new adventure of Emmet and his friends during an all-new event held exclusively at LEGOLAND Florida Resort every Saturday and Sunday in February.

Guests will enjoy extended park hours, LEGO building opportunities, hands-on activities built just for kids, a passport adventure with stops throughout the park and meet-and-greet opportunities with the characters from The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure, including some never seen before in a LEGOLAND theme park.

To conclude the fun each evening will end with an amazing fireworks display over picturesque Lake Eloise, and the best part is that all activities and entertainment are included with park admission.

If you loved The LEGO Movie (and really who didn’t?), you’re going to want to see The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure and be a part of the The LEGO Movie 4D Adventure!

Celebrate “World Sword Swallower’s Day” with Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Celebrate “World Sword Swallower’s Day” with

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Ripley’s Orlando Odditorium hosts free sword swallowing performances on February 27

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! will pay tribute to the ancient art of sword swallowing by holding free sword swallowing performances as part of World Sword Swallower’s Day on Saturday, February 27. Two things to remember – that’s solid steel and yes, it’s all real.

Orlando’s own Ted Campbell

Ripley’s will showcase the greatest group of sword swallowers ever assembled and offer free performances for the public at several of its Odditoriums around the world.

In Orlando, Ted Campbell will put his death-defying sword swallowing and fire eating skills on display. Other performers include Red Stuart, who has swallowed 50+ swords at one time, and Bill Berry, who juggles while sword swallowing! The show will start at 1:30 pm with an official swallow at 2:27 pm to coincide with the 2/27 date. Ripley’s Orlando Odditorium is located at 8201 International Dr. The sword swallowing

Bill Berry simultaneously sword swallowing and juggling!

performances will be FREE, but admission is required to tour the Odditorium.

This will be the 9th annual World Sword Swallower’s Day celebration, founded by the

Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI) in partnership with Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

The event was created to recognize the handful of people in the world who can swallow swords, an ancient art that dates back some 4,000 years. The day also raises awareness of the contributions sword swallowers have made to the fields of medicine and science and raises money for esophageal cancer research.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has long chronicled the incredible feat of sword swallowing. Sword swallowers were prominently featured at the very first Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933.

La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil Introduces New Acts And Special Offer

La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil is always evolving with new additions, and the newest acts introduced into the show honor the past while looking forward to the future of entertainment.

La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil Disney Springs Walt Disney World — **Courtesy of La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil**

Aerial Bamboo may be new to La Nouba, but this rare performance has a deep history that starts in China and involves a pole-shaped apparatus, originally made of bamboo but now made of steel, suspended from the ceiling, with attached loops used for a variety of tricks and stunts.

This breathtaking performance marks the United States premiere of Russian couple Alexander and Ekaterina Abramov that will have you on the edge of your seat as Ekaterina is held only by Alexander – his arms, his feet and even his teeth – as he himself hangs by his feet or arms high above the stage.

I was spellbound by their talent, and I am pretty sure I didn’t breathe as the duo performed and she spun like a top. It was fantastic!

As a huge fan of America’s Best Dance Crew (Yes, I know I am dating myself here), I was really excited to see this B-Boy trio take the Cirque du Soleil stage for the first time!

If you aren’t familiar, B-Boying is a physically demanding form of dance, in which performers execute acrobatic tricks and moves, including flips and spins, to music.

The La Nouba artistic staff scoured the globe for its three inaugural B-Boys: Josh Ortiz (“Incredible Josh”), Jean Carlos Lloret (“Bebo”) and Dmytro Li (“Flying Buddha”). The three hail respectively from the Bronx, N.Y., the Boston area and Ukraine and are performing together for the first time. All three have been dancing since their youth and bring their own unique styles to the act.

I got the chance to see them dance on the La Nouba Stage (I totally geeked out), and it was a treat to see them up-close!

What makes these acts work so well is that La Nouba brought back original choreographer Debra Brown, original composer Benoit Jutras, and original lighting designer Luc Lafortune to seamlessly integrate these new acts into the show.

And if that wasn’t enough, La Nouba has created a new partnership with Morimoto Asia.

From now until July 31, 2016, all La Nouba by Cirque du Soliel guests will have the opportunity to purchase an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage on the Morimoto Asia menu and receive a complimentary four-piece California Roll or Vegetable Roll when they show their La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil ticket stub.

Morimoto Asia is located at The Landings at Disney Springs, approximately a 5 minute walk from the La Nouba Theater, and is a great way to round out your evening at Disney Springs!

La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil Disney Springs Walt Disney World Morimoto Asia Sushi

If you can’t tell, I REALLY enjoyed the newest additions to La Nouba by Cirqu du Soleil and suggest that you check them out soon!

La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil Disney Springs Walt Disney World

Kung Fu Panda Arrives At Madame Tussauds Orlando

Skadoosh! Kapoeey! Kung Fu Panda Arrives at Madame Tussauds Orlando

The young and the young at heart are invited to showcase their Kung Fu poses next to Po the giant panda

Kung Fu Panda Madame Tussauds Orlando — ***Courtesy of Madame Tussauds Orlando***

Madame Tussauds Orlando knows Kung Fu… Panda. The celebrity wax attraction has rolled out the welcome mat for Po the lovable Panda turned Dragon Warrior from the successful animated movie trilogy Kung Fu Panda. Po’s figure will be on display starting today, the opening day of the theatrical release of Kung Fu Panda 3.

Some fun facts about the new figure:

Po’s figure weighs 160 pounds
More than 75 square feet of synthetic black fur and 45 square feet of synthetic white fur were used to create Po’s figure
Po’s eyes are 4.5 inches in diameter
His fist is almost a foot long
Po’s shorts were made from three different types of silk and a jacquard fabric, which were specially dyed to create 10 different color patches in the style of his animated outfit in the films

Madame Tussauds Orlando has new Florida resident rates, offering attraction admission for $18 ($13 for children between the ages of 3-12). This special offer saves visitors more than 25 percent off regular admission. For a limited time, tickets may be purchased at MadameTussauds.com/Orlando or at the attraction’s admissions desk. This offer is valid for Florida residents, with valid proof of residency, such as a state-issued ID, utilities or cable bill, bank statement, library card, or recent paystub. Restrictions may apply. Prices and hours subject to change without notice. Attraction admission is not guaranteed and subject to availability. The offer is not valid for premium products and cannot be combined with any other offers or packages.

Madame Tussauds is world-renowned for the creation of detailed and lifelike wax figures that pay homage to A-list celebrities from film and television, sports icons, musicians from all genres, and notable figures from history and pop culture. Each Madame Tussauds figure is truly a work of art, involving teams of professional artists and sculptors who spend months on extensive research and take more than 300 measurements to recreate world-famous icons, to achieve the kind of astonishing realism that has been at the heart of the 250-year Madame Tussauds legacy.

Guests at Madame Tussauds Orlando will experience the essence of America with this brand new, immersive and interactive wax experience, bursting with family fun and world-class entertainment, as they move through themed areas meeting all of their favorite stars from award-winning film actors, to historical and modern world leaders, sports stars, music legends as well as figures important to Florida. All visitors can shake hands with the president, get on stage with rock stars and pop princesses, or get up close and personal with a Hollywood heartthrob and take the ultimate selfie! For more information, visit www.madametussauds.com/orlando.

Wordless Wednesday: Hand-In-Hand

Wordless Wednesday:

January 27, 2016

This week’s Wordless Wednesday takes us to the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, where we find a moment of stillness filled with emotions amid a bustling Main Street U.S.A.

Things To Know On The Go: SeaWorld Wild Days 2016 Tips

After getting to experience the first day of Sea World WildDays, I’ve got a few Things to Know On the Go to share with you!

1- Pick up a Wild Days Event Map/Guide at the front of the park! This will help you locate the special Wild Days activities (and if you want to become a Junior Animal Ambassador, you’ll need the map to collect your stamps). Special Activities include- three different types of Explore Zones, Feed the Animals, Inspiring Stories, the Feature Show, and the Block Party. These activities are marked on the guide, and they will have special markings and signage in the area to help identify them.

2- if you collect the animal information cards from the Animal Ambassadors around then park, check with the event table by SeaWorld Rescue Store to find out what locations will have the special Wild Days exclusive cards! There are 2 each weekend for a total of 6 cards.

3- See the Feature Show!! Make sure that you get to there early. They will fill to capacity, and you don’t want to miss them. The shows are at 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. in the Nautilus Theater. January 23rd-24th is Penguin Lovers Weekend with Julie Scardina; and January 30th-31st is SeaRescue Weekend with the SeaWorld rescue team.

4- Watch the New “Ocean Discovery” killer whale presentation. You can learn all about killer whales and other species of whales during this special educational show. It’s an interactive, 30-minute presentation showing and telling you about the animals’ adaptations, habitats and behavior. This is a special presentation and it is in addition to the regularly scheduled One Ocean show.

5- Stop by the SeaWorld Rescue Store with your completed card (6 stamps from any of the 14 zones) to collect your Junior Ambassador prize! Stay for the block party! Located at the front of the park, it’s a fun filled way to end your day in the park. Music, characters, bubbles, and a great time!

Did you get to SeaWorld WildDays for Wild Weekend with Jack Hanna? Or are you planning on stopping by for a different weekend? I’m hoping to go all three weekends! Definitely getting good use out of my annual pass!

Wordless Wednesday: Passing By Hagrid’s Hut

Wordless Wednesday: January 20, 2016

This week’s Wordless Wednesday takes inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure to a door that I would love to knock on one day.

Who wouldn’t want to knock on that door, and be welcomed in by Hagrid for a cup of tea by the fire?

Madame Tussauds Orlando Welcomes Keith Urban

On the heels of announcing his 2016 world tour, country crooner Keith Urban’s wax figure has made a stop in Orlando. The Australian music artist, “Somebody Like You” singer and Nicole Kidman’s husband will be featured in the wax attraction along with the figure fellow music competition judge Jennifer Lopez.

Madame Tussauds Orlando Keith Urban — *Courtesy of Madame Tussauds Orlando*

Wild Days At SeaWorld Orlando Starts This Weekend

Wild Days Event Starts This Weekend at SeaWorld Orlando

Each Wild Days Weekend has a new animal theme for animal lovers

SeaWorld Orlando kicks off the new year with Wild Days, presented by Coca-Cola, the popular annual event that connects guests in even more ways with animals and the natural, wild world. The event is included with park admission and takes place three weekends in January (Jan. 16-17, Jan. 23-24 and Jan. 30-31). Each weekend is hosted by different animal experts, and features new educational shows – from orcas to wildlife rescue – and even more up-close animal experiences, meet-and-greet opportunities and interactive education stations.

Three Wild Days Weekends Themes:

January 16-17: “Wild Weekend with Jack Hanna”

World-renowned animal expert “Jungle Jack” Hanna hosts the first weekend. Guests can meet and learn about amazing animals from Jack, and hear about his unique travels and personal experiences.

Add-on packages:

Breakfast with Jack Hanna at Sharks Underwater Grill — Package includes breakfast and a personal meet-and-greet with Jack Hanna starting at $49 (available Saturday and Sunday).

Dinner with Jack Hanna at Sharks Underwater Grill — Package includes dinner and a personal meet-and-greet with Jack Hanna starting at $59 (only available Saturday).

January 23-24: “Penguin Lovers’ Weekend

Nationally recognized SeaWorld Animal Ambassador Julie Scardina hosts a cool weekend of wildlife surprises with a special focus on penguins. Guests can get up-close to these amazing feathered friends and hear from Julie about her lifelong love of animals and the parks’ commitment to wildlife conservation.

January 30-31: “Sea Rescue” Weekend

SeaWorld has rescued more than 27,000 animals over 50 years, and these amazing animal stories are featured weekly on the popular Saturday-morning ABC TV series “Sea Rescue.” Hear first-hand accounts of marine animal rescues, rehabilitations and returns by SeaWorld’s Animal Rescue Team, heroes and partners featured on the show.

Every Wild Days Weekend Includes:

New “Ocean Discovery” killer whale presentation – Guests can learn more about killer whales, also called orcas, and other species of whales during a special educational show. This interactive, 30-minute presentation teaches guests about the animals’ adaptations, habitats and behavior. (Note: This special presentation is in addition to the popular “One Ocean” shows scheduled throughout the day.)

New “Inspiring Stories” pre-shows – The SeaWorld Animal Training Team has some of the most fascinating jobs in the world. Guests can learn what it takes to care for animals that call SeaWorld home and how caring for them has helped with the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals that need help. “Inspiring Stories” will take place at the beginning of three of the park’s popular shows: Blue Horizons, Pets Ahoy and Clyde & Seamore’s Sea Lion High. Check park maps for times.

Meet our Animals – Throughout the park, even more trainers, educators and animal care staff are stationed to share information and stories about the animals in our care and provide up-close meet and greets, scheduled feedings and fun surprises. Check park maps for times and locations.

Explore Zones – More than 14 fun and interactive education stations can be discovered throughout the park, featuring games and hands-on experiences that teach guests about animals and what they can do to protect the wild world in their own lives. Check event guide for exclusive in-park experiences.

Wild Days takes place every Saturday and Sunday, January 16 through January 31, and is included with park admission. All feature shows take place at Nautilus Theater at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

SeaWorld Orlando Wild Days

The best way to experience this year’s Wild Days is with an Annual Pass. For a limited time, park guests can receive a refillable souvenir cup with the purchase of a SeaWorld Annual Pass. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com. Follow us on Facebook and for the latest details on Wild Days 2016. Join the conversation with #SeaWorld and #WildDays.

Wordless Wednesday: Wisdom On A Wednesday At Animal Kingdom

Wordless Wednesday – January 13, 2016

It does not matter who

you are or where you

are from. We are all

Children of the World.

I found this week’s Wordless Wednesday on the streets of the Harambe Market in Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, and it’s message rings loud and true.

#OntheGo Around the Parks: Taking It Easy In The Magic Kingdom

#OntheGo Around the Parks:

Taking It Easy In The Magic Kingdom

An awesome perk of living so close to Walt Disney World is being able to pop over for a quick visit, check out my last visit to Epcot, but it also means that when the Parks are busier you tend to steer clear of the crowds.

However on Monday I decided to venture to the Magic Kingdom for some time with my friend John for an easy, breezy day.

Now I say breezy, because it was definitely ‘Florida Cold’! We moved from Virginia and I went to school at Virginia Tech in the Blue Ridge Mountains (Go Hokies!), so I know it’s not cold-cold…but my blood has thinned considerably!

It was a beautiful day with a super blue sky! It was gorgeous.

It was the perfect morning to take a leisurely stroll to Cinderella Castle where we caught part of Dream Along with Mickey (which I hadn’t seen in awhile).

We are both trying to get 10,000 steps a day, so we decided to take a walk through Fantasyland. The area was busy but not crazy. I had to stop to take a picture of Zoe’s favorite Princess’ Tower.

And we also made a new friend. This little guy was so adorable!

The wait for Haunted Mansion wasn’t awful (25 minutes), so we decided to see if there was room for 2 more…

Afterwards we decided to set sail on the ‘Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed’, and I had a lot of fun trying to catch some of the reflections. I’m going to go back with my DSLR to see if I can catch some better shots, but it was a fun photo adventure!

We caught a quick bite to eat at Pecos Bill…but I forgot to take a picture of my burrito…I was hungry! However, I will say that I really wish they’d bring back some of the BBQ options.

When we were done with lunch we flew over to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room for a sing-along with some of our favorite feathered friends.

Our last ride of the day was on Pirates of the Caribbean, and while we were splashed quite a bit we had a great time.

It was a great day with a great friend (Check out John’s Big Fat Panda site for his antics), and I can’t wait to take you along #OntheGo Around the Parks soon!

Don’t forget to follow @onthegoinmco on Twitter & Instagram for all of our adventures!

2016 Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras Concert Line-Up #UniversalMardiGras

2016 Universal Orlando Resort’s

Mardi Gras Concert Line-Up

Florida’s Biggest Party to Also Feature Authentic Cajun Cuisine, a Dazzling Mardi Gras Parade

and More Than 1.7 Million Beads

Celebrating Mardi Gras at the Universal Orlando Resort is something that I look forward to every year, and this year’s concert line-up looks AWESOME!

On select nights February 6 through April 16, guests can top off their day in the theme parks with a family-friendly version of the famed “N’awlins” celebration at Universal Studios Florida – featuring delicious Cajun cuisine, a dazzling parade and 14 nights of exhilarating concerts from some of the biggest names in music.

This year’s star-studded concert lineup features a diverse array of talent with something for everyone to enjoy. Headliners include rock band Fall Out Boy, teen pop sensation Shawn Mendes, GRAMMY-nominated recording artist Adam Lambert, country singer-songwriter Hunter Hayes and legendary entertainer Diana Ross.

2016 Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras Concert Line-Up
Mardi Gras Event Dates	Headliners (performing in the Music Plaza)	New Orleans Bands (performing in the French Quarter)
February 6	Hunter Hayes	Rockin’ Jake
February 13	Diana Ross	Mississippi Rail Company
February 14	Barenaked Ladies	Mississippi Rail Company
February 20	Nate Ruess	Naughty Professor
February 27	Fall Out Boy	Cha Wa
March 5	Kool & the Gang	Beth McKee & the Sliders
March 12	The Fray	Soul Project
March 13	Adam Lambert	Soul Project
March 19	Shawn Mendes	The Big Easy Playboys
March 20	3 Doors Down	The Big Easy Playboys
March 26	REO Speedwagon	Gravy
April 2	T-Pain	Dirty Bourbon River Show
April 9	Jessie J	Daddy Mack Blues Band
April 16	Yandel	Big Al and The Heavyweights

This year’s Mardi Gras parade features 12 vibrant floats, including four new additions that celebrate different cultures and festivals from around the world – Venetian Carnival, Oktoberfest, 4^th of July and Rio de Janeiro Carnival. All of the exquisitely detailed Mardi Gras floats are engineered by Blaine Kern Artists, the same company that has been hand-crafting floats for the iconic New Orleans celebration since 1947. Plus, guests can visit Universal Studios Florida’s very own French Quarter Courtyard to enjoy authentic Cajun cuisine and see performances by bands pulled straight from Bourbon Street.

The excitement of Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration is included with admission to Universal Studios Florida. Florida Residents get up to three months free on any 2-park Annual Pass with a Coca-Cola UPC code or promo code on specially marked cups from participating Wendy’s restaurants. For more information on this special offer and Mardi Gras, visit www.universalorlando.com/mardigras.

About Universal Orlando Resort
For 25 years, Universal Orlando Resort has been creating epic vacations for the entire family – incredible experiences that place guests in the heart of powerful stories and adventures. Guests can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, grab a Krusty burger in Springfield, join the ranks of the Minions and so much more.

Universal Orlando’s two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, are home to some of the world’s most exciting and innovative attractions. Its on-site resort hotels, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort are destinations unto themselves. Its entertainment complex, Universal CityWalk, offers dining and entertainment for every member of the family. And just minutes away is Wet ‘n Wild, a family water park.

Universal Orlando Resort has unveiled 18 new guest experiences in the past five years – powerful attractions, incredible dining opportunities and a dramatically themed hotel. And more is on the way. Coming in 2016 is Universal Orlando’s fifth on-site hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort; and Skull Island: Reign of Kong, a groundbreaking attraction in Islands of Adventure. And in 2017 will come Universal’s Volcano Bay, an entirely new water theme park experience.

Universal Orlando Resort is part of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company. Follow Universal Orlando Resort on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

New Ticket Options At SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Parks

NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW VALUES AT FOUR FLORIDA PARKS

With New “Choose Your Adventure” Ticket, More Park Visits = More Savings

Visitors and Florida residents can now choose from a variety of new admission products for the Busch Gardens and SeaWorld family of parks that provide more value and flexibility.

For tourists visiting Florida, the NEW “Choose Your Adventure” ticket option simplifies vacation planning so guests can enjoy multiple visits to four of the Sunshine State’s most popular theme parks.

The program allows guests to customize their ideal itinerary AND receive substantial savings for each additional park or visit — the more they visit, the more they save.

Guests can create their own favorite theme park adventure across the following four parks: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay,SeaWorld Orlando, Adventure Island Tampa Bay and Aquatica Orlando.

For example, when tickets are purchased in advance, online, special prices are as low as:

One visit to any park – $79
Two visits to any of the parks – $99
Three visits to any of the parks – $109
For the ultimate adventure deal — the new Length-of-Stay ticket provides 14 consecutive days of unlimited adventure to all four of the popular Florida theme parks, along with free parking at each, for one low price of $139.

FLORDA RESIDENTS

There also are new values for Florida residents who are looking to visit all year long, with incentives for purchasing early in the year.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island “BOGO Fun Card”: Now through February 29, guests who buy a Fun Card to Busch Gardens also will receive a FREE Fun Card to Adventure Island.

SeaWorld Orlando “Preschool Card”: For a limited time, SeaWorld Orlando will offer kids ages five and younger a FREE Preschool Card valid for unlimited admission through December 31, 2016. Cards must be registered online and redeemed in the park by May 27, 2016.

Annual Pass: The best value at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the Annual Pass with unlimited admission all year, free parking, no blockout dates and special benefits. NEW this year for Pass Members are enhanced Instant Rewards – a 12-month calendar of exclusive offerings each month such as discounts, ticket offers and free gifts. With a new reward each month, there is incentive to purchase early and enjoy the full year of offers. With EZ Pay, Annual Passes start at just $14 per month for one park, and $18 per month for both parks.

#OnTheGo Around the Parks: An Afternoon at Epcot

#OnTheGo Around the Parks:

An Afternoon at Epcot

One thing that I really love doing is walking around the Parks, and while I usually tweet and Instagram my day I thought it would be a nice change to share my afternoon and my thoughts here.

It was a chilly (by Orlando standards) and slightly overcast afternoon at Epcot, but it was great to get out of the house for a few hours before I picked Zoe up from her after-school activity.

Onthego In the Parks Epcot

I didn’t have any plans or FastPass+ return times, and I wasn’t in a rush so I decided to take an easy stroll around Future World.

My first stop was to see Baymax in his new Meet and Greet area in Innoventions West.

This was my first time seeing the area, and it was great to see I wasn’t alone! He had a large line, and while his workshop background may seem sparse it fits right in with all of the construction that is going on inside of Innoventions.

After a quick picture, I decided to head over to The Seas with Nemo & Friends.

This is one of Zoe’s favorite rides, and when we ride it’s often filled with a lot of pointing and chatting about what is going on around us so it was weird to ride it in silence.

There was a lot of activity in the tanks as people were snorkeling. I would love to try that one day!

I also had to find one of my all time favorite Hidden Mickeys…

And Nemo!

Heading over to The Land Pavilion I decided to keep up my Hidden Mickey Hunting, and found this little guy.

While Soarin’ is closed until later this year, it was nice to see that the Pavilion was still chocked full of people!

Living with the Land has always been one of my favorite rides!

I found a ton of Mickeys and got to see a Florida Snowman.

Before I leave, I always take a moment to say goodbye to the balloons.

The latest addition to Epcot is the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival.

The Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival is a 3D experience that begins with a short film where you hear from John Lasseter and Ed Catmull talk about the beginnings of Pixar by showing the progression of their work.

The Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival features 3 shorts in ways that you have never seen them before.

‘Get a Horse’ is the first short that pops off the screen (literally) bringing this classic short to life in a whole new way. While the 3 and 4D effects were really well done, what really was amazing was to hear Walt Disney voicing Mickey ringing through the theater. I won’t lie…it gave me chills.

‘La Luna’ really sparkled in the 3D format, and it was really nice to revisit a short that is one of my favorites.

And finally, ‘For the Birds’ is a really quirky and fun short that ends the experience on a solid laugh.

We’ll miss you Captain EO, but I have to say that I really enjoyed watching the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival. I can’t wait to bring Zoe back with me next time!

Then it was off to Innoventions East to visit Colortopia Presented by Glidden.

If you haven’t had the chance to stop by and experience the newest spot in Innoventions…what are you waiting for?

I really love all of the the different interactive areas and activities, and it is a really great way to spend some time out of the Florida elements.

Seriously, what are you waiting for? I promise that you will really enjoy Colortopia…so go!

Walking out of Innoventions East I ran into the Jamminators. And while these guys have several identities throughout the year, I always like to stop for a second to watch them perform. They are a really fun group.

And I was in luck, because today was ‘Junior Jamminator Day’ and I am now an honorary Jamminator!

I haven’t ridden Test Track in awhile, so I decided to head over to the single rider line. It was a 25 minute wait, not too shabby, but it was nice to just relax and go with the flow!

When you go through the single rider line you don’t get the full design experience, but the car I chose placed 2nd which is much better than when I do the designing so I will call it a win!!!

And it wouldn’t be a trip to Epcot without riding my absolute favorite ride in the world…Spaceship Earth.