Ring In The New Year At SeaWorld Orlando

 

SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration Logo

Ring in the New Year at SeaWorld Orlando

–All-New dining-and-firework show package to delight families and friends

this New Year’s Eve–

Families and friends can ring in the New Year at SeaWorld Orlando on December 31 as vibrant fireworks fill the night sky and festive entertainment can be enjoyed throughout the park until 1 a.m., including interactive DJ stations, craft beers and delectable bites.

New this year is the New Year’s Eve Seating with Fireworks Package. For $49 per person, guests will enjoy reserved seating at Bayside Stadium to watch the Winter Wonderland on Ice Show followed by a fireworks display.

Also new this year is the New Year’s Eve Dinner & Fireworks package, where guests can indulge in a 4-course prix-fixe signature dinner at Sharks Underwater Grill – the park’s full-service, upscale restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows that create a perfect viewing scene into the world of sharks.  Guests can choose between Char-grilled Filet Mignon, Savory Garlic & Butter Gumbo Shrimp Scampi and much more. Guests will also receive a souvenir group photo and end the evening at a private lite-bite sweets reception from 11 p.m. to midnight that includes a champagne toast as fireworks dazzle above. Dinner and fireworks package is $199 per person. Find out more about New Year’s Eve here.

SeaWorld Orlando New Years Eve

Plus, guests who visit SeaWorld on December 31 will experience all the wonder, excitement and fun of SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration™, which includes:

  • Shamu® Christmas Miracles – Experience the power and beauty of the Shamu family in this nighttime holiday show. Set to majestic seasonal music, the show features killer whales in a story of peace, friendship and the everyday miracles that surround us all year long.
  • O Wondrous Night – Hear the classic Christmas story as told through the eyes of the animals. With more than 30 carols, life-size puppets and a live nativity, this show will charm, entertain and delight. This must-see show has become a family holiday classic for all of our guests.
  • THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience – Now boarding! It’s a wondrous journey to the North Pole aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS. The beloved holiday classic comes to life as you and your family are immersed in the heart-warming story of a young boy’s thrilling ride into an enchanted world. The sights, sounds, and scents of the season surround you. From the moment the conductor calls “all aboard” to your arrival at the North Pole (where you’ll meet Santa Claus himself), THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience promises to create an unforgettable holiday memory.

SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration Shamu

  • Elmo’s Christmas Wish – Sesame Street® friends have come to SeaWorld® Orlando for a festive holiday musical celebration.  Join Rosita, Grover, Zoe, and Cookie Monster as they work together to help Elmo find his Christmas wish!
  • Winter Wonderland on Ice – Christmas glistens on a stage of ice, jewels and light as skaters dazzle and delight in this show-stopping, ice-skating extravaganza. In addition to graceful skaters, the show also features towering fountains of water and a sea of lighted trees sparkling over the lake. It’s a don’t-miss experience for the holidays that will take your breath away.
  • Sea of Trees – Take a walk through our wintery, watery wonderland. This glistening forest of more than 100 Christmas trees sparkles to music and lights up the water.
  • The Christmas Village – Artisans, festive entertainment, and delicious culinary delights create a bustling market that lines Bayside Pathway. Guests can discover one-of-a-kind gifts, enjoy scrumptious holiday treats, encounter playful elves and holiday characters, sing-a-long with musicians, and marvel at a charming model train village. It also is the perfect spot to view the Sea of Trees display, relaxing near the warm glow of the fire pit and sipping a holiday craft brew.

The best way to experience SeaWorld’s New Year’s Eve and SeaWorld’s Christmas CelebrationTM is with an Annual Pass offering unlimited general admission and free parking all year long. Florida residents can purchase an annual pass with EZPay, a convenient payment option starting at $13 per month. Pass holders can enjoy a variety of other perks, including discounts on food and beverage and savings on admission to Discovery Cove.

Visit SeaWorldOrlando.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest details about New Year’s Eve at SeaWorld. Join the conversation by using the hashtag #SeaWorldNewYear.

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Osborne Lights Hidden Gems

Osborne lights
Osborne lights history display

As many of you already know, this is sadly the last year for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. After 20 years the lights will be packed up to make way for some awesome new changes coming to the Studios in the forms of Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land over the next few years. We can certainly hope that the Osborne Lights will return to us in some incarnation down the road, even in another location would be fine, but for now we have to assume that this is the end.

I don’t mean to say this in a melancholy way, but rather to give each and every one of you the encouragement to go out and catch the Osborne Lights for one final (or first) time if there’s any way you can. The last night will be Sunday, January 3rd, 2016, and I am personally planning to be there until they shut it down and kick me out. The lights started just three years before I moved to Florida and first experienced the Osborne Lights in their previous home on Residential Street in 1998. They moved the lights to the Streets of America in 2004 after Residential Street closed. For the past 17 years the lights have been the highlight of the Christmas season at Walt Disney World and are my must do above all other holiday traditions here.

This year it seems that the Imagineers have gone an extra step in adding even more hidden gems to the light display as a final send off. Each year it has been tradition to find the black/purple cat that was mixed in from Halloween decorations from the Osborne family. The first fifteen or so years the cat was placed once and stayed in the same location for the whole duration of the lights in November and December. The last few years the Cast Members made a fantastic decision to move around the cat from week to week, which makes it even more fun for those of us who are fortunate enough to go multiple times throughout the eight weeks of the Osborne Lights.

Among some of the fun things I have discovered hidden in the lights the year, in addition to the dozens of hidden Mickeys, are some other characters in lights, some peeking out of windows, others hanging from fire escapes, and even more in window displays. You can literally spend hours exploring all the corners of the 7+ million light display. I love that the canopy on San Francisco Street and how it has changed over the years, now including one of my favorite dancing projections of Jack Skellington from the Nightmare Before Christmas when What’s This plays. I hope you enjoy some of my favorite pictures of the Osborne Lights and a few of these hidden gems that I’ve discovered. I hope that you all have gotten a chance or will get to see the lights before they shine and dance for the last time on January 3rd.

All white angel in memory of Jennings Osborne
All white angel in memory of Jennings Osborne
Arkansas Razorback
Arkansas Razorback
Osborne family stockings hung above the fire
Osborne family stockings hung above the fire
Tinkerbell
Tinkerbell
Incredibles logo
Incredibles logo
Finding Nemo
Finding Nemo
Mickey and Minnie silhouettes
Mickey and Minnie silhouettes
Hidden Mickey and Jack Skellington
Hidden Mickey and Jack Skellington
Scrooge McDuck
Scrooge McDuck
Mary Poppins penguin in top window
Mary Poppins penguin in top window
Clarabelle Cow in upper right window
Clarabelle Cow in upper right window
Tony's from Lady and the Tramp
Tony’s from Lady and the Tramp
Hanging upside down Animal
Hanging upside down Animal
Miss Piggy
Miss Piggy
Kermit hanging on the ladder
Kermit hanging on the ladder
Kermit playing banjo
Kermit playing banjo
Hidden Baymax head
Hidden Baymax head
Mr. Potato Head Santa Claus
Mr. Potato Head Santa Claus
Roger Rabbit
Roger Rabbit
Santa Stitch
Santa Stitch
Dalmatians
Dalmatians
Dancing stars on the canopy
Dancing stars on the canopy
Jack Skellington head
Jack Skellington head
Toy Story Alien
Toy Story Alien
Star Wars First Order and Jedi symbols
Star Wars First Order and Jedi symbols
Hidden Olaf in white at the bottom of the window
Hidden Olaf in white at the bottom of the window
Purple cat 1
Purple cat 1
Purple cat 2
Purple cat 2
Purple cat 3, Hidden Mickey, and Toy Story Alien
Purple cat 3, Hidden Mickey, and Toy Story Alien
See You Real Soon
See You Real Soon
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LEGOLAND Florida Offers First Look At The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure

LEGOLAND Florida The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure

LEGOLAND Florida News:

Exclusive First Look at ‘The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure’ Offers Sneak Peek of Dazzling New Attraction

Emmet, Wyldstyle and Friends Reunite in All-New Story Debuting Jan. 29 at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

For the first time ever, LEGOLAND Florida and other LEGOLAND Parks are offering a first look at an exciting new theme park attraction that reunites the stars of “The LEGO Movie™” in an all-new story appearing exclusively at LEGOLAND theme parks and LEGOLAND Discovery Centers in 2016.

LEGOLAND Florida The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure

The 30-second clip released today gives fans the first glimpse of what happened after the blockbuster movie, when Emmet, Wyldstyle, Unikitty, MetalBeard and Benny reunite at the invitation of a shady new character, Risky Business, who plans to open a curious theme park bearing a suspicious resemblance to LEGOLAND.

httpv://youtu.be/2WTsb94lvMc

“The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure” will premiere Friday, January 29, 2016 at LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven, FL, followed by LEGOLAND California Resort in Carlsbad, CA, on Saturday, February 6. The attraction will debut later at LEGOLAND theme parks and LEGOLAND Discovery Centers worldwide.

LEGOLAND Florida The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure

Returning to voice their iconic characters are actors Elizabeth Banks (Wyldstyle), Nick Offerman (MetalBeard), Charlie Day (Benny) and Alison Brie (Unikitty). Actor, writer and comedian Patton Oswalt lends his voice to the scheming Risky Business, whose Evil Secret Plot requires the heroes to call on the Master Builder skills of a surprise ally to save the day.

The 12 1/2-minute 3D film will play several times a day at each LEGOLAND site, with “4D” effects such as wind, water, fog and more bringing the action bursting off the screen and into the audience.

LEGOLAND Florida The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure

Los Angeles-based Pure Imagination Studios is creating “The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure” with input from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the talented writer-directors who brought “The LEGO Movie” to life, along with contributions from Rob Schrab, who is directing the movie’s eagerly awaited sequel, due in 2018.

LEGOLAND Florida The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure

Also upcoming for LEGO fans are three more feature films:  The as-yet untitled LEGO BatmanTM opens on Feb. 10, 2017; “NINJAGO,” on Sept. 22, 2017; and “The LEGO Movie Sequel,” on May 18, 2018.

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Madame Tussauds Orlando Welcomes Britain’s Royal Family

madame tussauds logo

Madame Tussauds Orlando Welcomes Britain’s Royal Family

The wax figures of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive in Orlando

Madame Tussauds Orlando is providing a royal welcome for the arrival of its newest figures of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry, Prince William and Duchess Catherine. Britain’s royal family will be featured in the Orlando attraction in a special holiday-themed set for a limited time. Guests are encouraged to get up close and personal with royalty and snap their best selfies for a memorable holiday card.

Madame Tussauds Orlando

Queen Elizabeth’s wax figure is fitted in an exact replica of the dress she wore for her official Diamond Jubilee portrait. Madame Tussauds studio artists were invited to the Palace to obtain exact measurements, photos and detailed notes of the dress. It is embellished with approximately 10,000 Swarovski crystals, and took artists over 60 hours to complete. Her jewelry is handmade and includes the George IV State Diadem, the Garter Star, the Garter Badge, the insignia of the Royal Order of George V and George VI, and Colette necklace and earrings.

Prince Harry’s figure is dressed in a Dege & Skinner suit from Savile Row — created by the actual tailor he uses for his uniforms. Prince Harry is adorned with medals: a set of three Court-Mounted full-size medals, three pairs of gilt and enamel Garter Stars, and one pair of Flying Wings.

Duchess Catherine’s figure is styled after her look at the 2011 BAFTA Awards in a one-of-a-kind pale lilac Alexander McQueen gown. Prince William is in a double-breasted six button two-piece dinner suit specially made for Madame Tussauds by Gieves & Hawkes.

Madame Tussauds enjoys a close relationship with the British Royal Family dating back to William IV, King of England when the attraction first opened in London in 1835. Their Highnesses have been closely involved with the royal figures. Madame Tussauds originally began as a traveling exhibit before establishing a permanent home in London and ultimately expanding to 19 attractions worldwide.

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Christmas Town At Busch Gardens Tampa Brings Even More Holiday Cheer

Christmas Town Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2015 

Christmas Town Upgrades at Busch Gardens Tampa Brings Even More Holiday Cheer

Christmas Town™ transforms Busch Gardens® into a holiday wonderland of Christmastime entertainment, and the best way to unwrap the cheer is with all-new exclusive experiences that you and your family will treasure forever.

Christmas Town Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2015

NEW! Holly Jolly Christmas Party

‘Tis the season for a Holly Jolly Christmas Party where spectacular Yuletide celebrations await. Mrs. Claus and her elves join you for dinner with a delicious all-you-care-to-eat pizza and salad buffet at the Garden Gate Café. The party keeps going with fun holiday activities, including writing a letter to Santa, decorating decadent cupcakes and singing classic Christmas carols.

Christmas Town Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2015 NEW! Christmas Town™ VIP Experience

Unwrap all the magic of the holidays during the Christmas Town VIP Experience, a three-hour-long guided tour that is sure to make your Christmastime memories even more merry and bright. This ultimate experience is complete with:

  • Front-of-the-line access to Santa’s House presented by Coca-Cola®, where the Claus family invites you into their North Pole home as the elves prepare for Christmas. There, Santa will take a break from his busy holiday schedule to meet and take photos with in his private study.
  • An exclusive up-close encounter with Busch Gardens’ African penguins.
  • Fun holiday activities at the Holly Jolly Christmas Party, including writing a letter to Santa, decorating decadent cupcakes and singing classic Christmas carols.
  • Delicious pizza and salad buffet hosted by Mrs. Claus and her elves at Garden Gate Café, or a holiday feast at the Crown Colony Restaurantfor an additional fee.
  • VIP seating to Christmas On Ice, where Yuletide melodies, deadline-driven elves and the big man himself come together to celebrate the many wonders of Christmas during this holiday spectacular.
  • Commemorative photo with Santa Claus and refillable hot chocolate mug.

Christmas Town Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2015

For more information about these exclusive experiences, visit ChristmasTown.com for pricing and reservations. Christmas Town is included with any annual pass, Fun Card or daily admission to the park.

The 2016 Fun Card is available for purchase now. With the 2016 Fun Card, guests pay for one day and get all of 2016 free. Plus, guests who purchase their 2016 Fun Card now can also visit Busch Gardens for the remainder of 2015 for no additional cost, including the popular Christmas Town™ event.

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Universal Orlando Resort Partners With Veterans Advantage

Universal Orlando Resort Annual Passholder Appreciation Month Rock The Universe Dracula Untold Cabana Bay Give Kids the World Universal Orlando Resort Logo Universal Halloween Horror Nights Alien vs. Predator 

Universal Orlando Resort Partners with Veterans Advantage to Launch Exclusive Military Benefits

 

Universal Orlando Resort and Veterans Advantage have collaborated to create two new benefit packages that give military veterans, active duty, National Guard and reservists, retired military, and their immediate families the opportunity to save on vacation packages to Universal Orlando Resort.

Veterans Advantage members now receive up to 10 percent off the following packages:

  • The 2-Park Getaway Vacation Package, which includes a three-night hotel stay and a two-day Park-to-Park ticket
  • The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Exclusive Vacation Package, which includes a four-night hotel stay, three-day Park-to-Park ticket and breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron and more

Universal Orlando Resort Military Captain America

Veterans Advantage members can customize their vacation package to their choosing and enjoy special benefits. Both packages include early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, access to select live entertainment venues at Universal CityWalk and more.

Additionally, qualified Veterans Advantage members and active duty or retired military have access to an Exclusive Military Vacation package to Universal Orlando Resort. This package includes three-night hotel accommodations plus a one-day park-to-park ticket with two days free.

“We honor veterans and their service and we are excited to offer them a special opportunity to enjoy Universal Orlando Resort with their families,” said Bill Davis, president of Universal Orlando Resort and a Vietnam War veteran.  “We want to help them make memories that will last forever.”

Veterans Advantage currently partners with a robust lineup of leading travel providers, which include United Airlines, JetBlue, Amtrak, Greyhound, Avis and Budget, and AIG Travel Guard, offering special savings and exclusive benefits for Veterans Advantage members.

“We are excited to launch this exclusive travel benefit with this world-class vacation destination and premier theme park provider,” said H. Scott Higgins, CEO of Veterans Advantage and a Vietnam War veteran. “With more than 15 years of experience serving the needs of Veterans Advantage travelers, we know this will create a lot of excitement in our community,” Higgins added.

For special instructions on accessing these discounts, please visit VeteransAdvantage.com/Universal.

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Christmas Bricktacular At LEGOLAND Florida Resort

CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR Legoland Florida Resort

Holiday Fireworks Making Spirits Bright During Annual Christmas Bricktacular Celebration at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

This December, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort will celebrate the holidays in a uniquely LEGO® way with the return of Christmas Bricktacular Presented by Shutterfly®, the theme park’s annual seasonal celebration for kids. This year, the festivities expand with an exclusive yuletide fireworks spectacular presented each night, plus a more than 30-foot-tall Christmas tree made entirely of LEGO and DUPLO®bricks, a life-size LEGO model of Santa, his reindeer and sleigh, themed scavenger hunts and more.

CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR Legoland Florida Resort
            PHOTO / LEGOLAND Florida, Merlin Entertainments Group, Chip Litherland)

Included with park admission, Christmas Bricktacular takes place on select dates through December and provides a fun and interactive place for kids to enjoy holiday festivities in a playful way only LEGOLAND Florida Resort could imagine. In addition to creative holiday photo opportunities and festive décor throughout the park, activities will include:

  • Meet-and-greets with LEGO Santa and LEGO Toy Soldier
CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR Legoland Florida Resort
               PHOTO / LEGOLAND Florida, Merlin Entertainments Group, Chip Litherland)
  • A LEGO Christmas mosaic guests can assemble with our Master Model Builders
  • Holiday-themed scavenger hunts in Miniland USA and DUPLO Valley with a chance to win a LEGO prize pack
  • A station where kids can write a LEGO letter to Santa and send it to the North Pole
  • A Jingle Jam to kick off the event, dance and celebrate with LEGO Santa and LEGO Toy Soldier
  • A competition build in DUPLO Valley with another chance to win a LEGO prize pack
CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR Legoland Florida Resort
              PHOTO / LEGOLAND Florida, Merlin Entertainments Group, Chip Litherland)

The wintertime fun concludes each night with a holiday-themed fireworks show presented only during Christmas Bricktacular. For the best viewing location, guests should head for the spacious Ski Stadiums in Pirates’ Cove or the grass lawn in between.

CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR Legoland Florida Resort

Looking for a special LEGO gift? Select stores will stay open for an extra hour of holiday shopping each night after the park closes. Guests will find a dizzying variety of LEGO-branded toys and souvenirs throughout the park, including hard-to-find LEGO sets, children’s and adult apparel, and great stocking stuffers.

CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR Legoland Florida Resort
              PHOTO / LEGOLAND Florida, Merlin Entertainments Group, Chip Litherland)

Guests can share their favorite Christmas Bricktacular photos with #ChristmasBricktacular on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and tag @LEGOLANDFlorida for a chance to win a special LEGO prize.

For even more fun, guests can book a spot at LEGO Santa’s Christmas Workshop, a special VIP experience.  The workshop includes a playful interaction with holiday characters, tasty seasonal treats and the chance to meet a Master Model Builder and create an exclusive Christmas decoration to keep.

CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR Legoland Florida Resort
PHOTO / LEGOLAND Florida, Merlin Entertainments Group, Chip Litherland)

2015 Christmas Bricktacular Presented by Shutterfly® Dates:

  • December 12-13 (Saturday & Sunday)
  • December 19-20 (Saturday & Sunday)
  • December 26-30 (Saturday-Wednesday)

On Thursday, Dec. 31, ring in 2016 at the high-energy Kids’ New Year’s Eve celebration, which features a LEGO brick-drop countdown to midnight Kid Standard Time (that’s 8 p.m. to moms and dads), a kid-centric dance party and a dazzling fireworks display to end the year with a bang. It’s all included with park admission.

CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR Legoland Florida Resort
             PHOTO / LEGOLAND Florida, Merlin Entertainments Group, Chip Litherland)

For more about everything there is to do and see at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, including the brand-new, onsite LEGOLAND Hotel, visit http://florida.legoland.com and our official blog at www.llfblog.com.

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Dreaming of a Disney Christmas: Christmas Ornaments With Character

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Dreaming of a Disney Christmas: Christmas Ornaments With Character

Adding a touch of Disney magic to your Christmas Tree is as awesome as ever with these new Christmas Ornaments from Disney Parks.

I’ve shared several of these Disney Christmas Ornaments over the years, but I love how they keep getting better with even more details and expanding to new characters.

All of these ornaments are $19.99 plus tax, and I would love to hear which ones are your favorites!

Don’t forget you can use the Shop Disney Parks App available on iTunes and Google Play Store to find these and more great Disney Parks items with free shipping!

 

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A Visit To The Star Wars Launch Bay For Beginners

Star Wars Launch Bay Disney's Hollywood Studios

Visiting the newly opened Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can seem intimidating if you aren’t familiar familiar with the Star Wars Saga, but fear not because it is actually a really great place to start your Star Wars Fandom if you keep a few things in mind!

The first thing to know is that there is no shame in admitting that you aren’t a huge Star Wars fan! After the initial gasp, you will find that the only thing that Star Wars fans are more passionate about than the movies is sharing their love of the movies!

Now that you’re ready for your visit to the Star Wars Launch Bay, here are a few things to do to make your visit awesome!

1. Bring a friend who is familiar with Star Wars with you.

While visiting the parks alone is always fun, having a friend visit with you who is familiar with Star Wars is a great resource for any questions you may have along the way.

Star Wars Launch Bay Disney's Hollywood Studios

2. Once you arrive at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, head directly to the ABC Soundstage to watch ‘Path of the Jedi’.

This dramatic 10 minute film compiles exhilarating Star Wars movie moments to tell the tale of the Jedi Order’s fall and return.

For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Order protected the galaxy and brought peace to the Galactic Republic—with the help of a mysterious power called the Force. A young Jedi named Anakin Skywalker—secretly influenced by the scheming Darth Sidious—turned to the Dark Side of the Force and brought ruin to the Jedi. Anakin became the dreaded Darth Vader and Darth Sidious became the evil Emperor Palpatine.

A generation passed and Anakin’s children, Luke and Leia, joined the Rebel Alliance to oppose the tyranny of the Galactic Empire. With the help of a charming rogue named Han Solo, Luke and Leia succeeded in defeating the Empire and turning Darth Vader away from the Dark Side.

Star Wars: Path of the Jedi retells this epic saga and hints at what’s next! The Star Wars story continues in the new movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens—Luke, Leia and Han return along with a new cast of brave heroes and dastardly villains.

3. Don’t skip the line to enter the Star Wars Launch Bay.

Star Wars Launch Bay Disney's Hollywood Studios

Why it may be extremely tempting, don’t skip the line to line to enter the Star Wars Launch Bay through the Launch Bay Theater. because the queue is FULL of great details and images!

4. Get Hyped by watching the ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ short film in the Launch Bay Theater!

Inside this stellar screening room, watch a stirring short film celebrating the Star Wars saga. Running continuously throughout the day, this 10-minute “behind-the-scenes” movie includes exclusive interviews with the directors, writers, producers and other key players responsible for bringing the Star Wars galaxy to life.

Now why will you get hyped? I’m glad you asked!

The short film’s interviews are a great glimpse into the passion that the creators have for Star Wars with peeks at the movies.

5. When you are waiting in line for the amazing Meet and Greets in the Star Wars Launch Bay, make sure you pay attention to the trivia that is playing on the screens.

While the Meet and Greet queue itself is full of great props and replicas from Star Wars, along the walls you will find screens playing Star Wars Trivia. This is a great opportunity to learn details from the movies and to find out even more by asking questions.

6. Learn to read Aurebesh…No really…do it!

Star Wars Launch Bay Disney's Hollywood Studios
Super huge thanks to Christie for letting me use her photo! You can find her on Instagram and Twitter!

Along the walls of the Star Wars Launch Bay you’ll see sayings from the movies in Aurebesh, and if you ask a Cast Member they may have the Aurebesh alphabet with our alphabet to help you ‘decode’ the messages.

7. Take your time!

The Launch Bay is full of great galleries chocked full of costumes, props, models, actual items from the movies, and more so make sure you take your time to read all the plaques and to ask the near-by Cast Members questions.

Star Wars Launch Bay Disney's Hollywood Studios

8. Bring something to trade with the Jawas.

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but bringing something to trade with the Jawas is always a ton of fun!

Star Wars Launch Bay Disney's Hollywood Studios

The Jawas love shiny things, don’t we all really, however you can see in my video that I traded an On the Go in MCO button and things went swimmingly!

9. After you’ve had the full Star Wars Launch Bay experience, pick a character that you really liked to learn more about before Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens on December 18, 2015!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Poster

Find your favorite character, find out more about them, buy some fun merchandise, and have fun…just keep away from Bobba Fett…he’s all mine!!!

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Madame Tussauds Orlando Welcomes YouTube Stars SMOSH

 

madame tussauds logo

Madame Tussauds Orlando Welcomes YouTube Stars SMOSH

Madame Tussauds  adds the comedy duo and YouTube sensations are the first digital media stars to be honored by the celebrity wax attraction

 

Madame Tussauds Orlando has rolled out the red carpet for its newest wax figures of digital celebrities Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox, the duo behind powerhouse comedy brand SMOSH.

The figures will be featured inside the Orlando attraction’s film zone in a special set featuring a green screen, which encourages fans to select between numerous SMOSH-centric backdrops as well as graphic elements to enhance their photo experiences. Images and videos taken will be available to fans via email or text to share and preserve their experiences with SMOSH.

SMOSH Madame Tussauds Orlando

Madame Tussauds artists met with the duo to take hundreds of measurements so they could create the most accurate and lifelike representation of SMOSH. The SMOSH figures are dressed in clothing personally selected and donated by Padilla and Hecox. The figures were originally unveiled in California at the world premiere of SMOSH: The Movie this past summer.

“What an honor it is to be recognized and chosen for Madame Tussauds [as the] first YouTube wax figures in their 250 year history,” said Hecox and Padilla during the initial unveiling. “To have the big reveal take place on the red carpet at the premiere of our first movie just made this eventful day even more memorable.”

Named as one of the top-ranking celebrities by teens in a survey commissioned by Variety Magazine and supported by over 30 million subscribers across the brand’s multiple YouTube channels, SMOSH represents a new, community-driven sector of digital entertainment.

Smosh’s 3,000-plus videos have accrued 7.4 billion views. Their first video, released in November 2005, the Pokémon Theme Music Video catapulted them to success. It became the most-viewed video on YouTube at that time, and has since gained 24.7 million views. SMOSH has released four studio albums, Sexy Album (2010), If Music Were Real (2011), Smoshtastic (2012) and The Sweet Sound of Smosh (2013).

Wordless Wednesday Walt Disney Madame Tussauds Orlando iDrive360 Orlando

Madame Tussauds Orlando also 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.

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Frostival At The Orlando Eye & I-Drive 360

Frostival The Orlando Eye

Frostival Presented By The Orlando Eye & I-Drive 360

Guests visiting the Orlando Eye can enjoy holiday-themed capsules, ice-skating, a flight with Santa, and much more during Frostival

 

The Orlando Eye and I-Drive 360 are adding to Central Florida’s holiday happenings with special events to celebrate the season with Frostival.

From now until December 25th, guests to I-Drive 360 can celebrate on land or in the air!

Experience the Holidays at 400 feet by riding in one of four beautifully themed holiday capsules on The Orlando Eye.

Frostival The Orlando Eye
Photo: The Orlando Eye

The capsule themes range from The Night Before Christmas, Gingerbread House, Winter Wonderland and Candy Canes.

Holiday capsule packages begin at $30, and include priority boarding and holiday music throughout the flight. 

During select times throughout the month, younger guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a flight with Santa Claus himself! Santa flight packages begin at $35, and include priority boarding, photo opportunities, a holiday cookie, and a holiday story reading. 

Frostival The Orlando Eye
Photo: The Orlando Eye

Throughout the entire season, look to the skies to see the Orlando Eye lit in different colors to celebrate the holidays, on the night we visited it was lit up like a wreath. In addition to special lighting for Christmas and the New Year, the Eye will feature blue and white lighting on December 14th to celebrate the last day of Hanukkah. Frostival The Orlando Eye

After you have taken flight on the Orlando Eye, experience I-Drive 360 decked out for the holidays!

The center’s courtyard is full of festiveness with a 20-feet Christmas tree, purple wreaths, string lighting, as well as an outdoor ice-skating rink and snow machines. Ice-skating rates begin at $10 (with advanced purchase of Orlando Eye admission) or $12 at the door. The cost includes 30 minutes of skate time and skate rentals. Frostival The Orlando Eye

Tickets may be purchased at online or at the attraction’s admissions desk. Prices and event hours subject to change without notice. For more information, visit OfficialOrlandoEye.com.

 

 

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Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Florida Resident Discount

Ripley's Believe It or Not Florida Logo

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Florida Attractions Offer
50% off to Florida Residents

 
Half price on holiday fun until December 18, 2015
Florida residents are getting an early holiday gift from Ripley’s Believe It or Not!  with half price tickets for Florida residents to all Ripley’s Florida attractions until December 18, 2015.

Ripley's Believe It or Not Florida

Participating

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Florida attractions include:

  • Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium
  • Ripley’s Believe it or Not! St. Augustine Odditorium, daytime   Red Train Tours and Ghost Train Adventure
  • Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Panama City Beach  Odditorium and
  • Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Key West Odditorium
Residents will need to show a local photo ID in order to receive the discount.  All adults in the party will need to have proof of residency in order to receive the discount.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando is conveniently located at 8201 International Drive, and is open daily from 9:00 am to midnight (last entry nightly at 11:00 pm). For more information, please visit
 Ripley's Believe It Or Not Oddtoberfest Florida
About Ripley Entertainment
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando is part of the Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com) family of worldwide attractions, the global leader in location-based entertainment.  More than 13 million people visit its 95-plus attractions in 10 countries each year.  In addition to its 32 Believe It or Not!Odditoriums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, that still runs daily in 42 countries. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the third-largest privately held company in Canada.
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A Day Celebrating Holidays Around the World At Epcot

On Friday, November 27, Epcot began their holiday festivities with their annual Holidays Around the World line up. This post will be extra picture heavy as I think they tell the story better than I could.

Entrance Entrance2 Thumper Bambi StitchHoliday DonaldGoofy Snowflakes IMG_8704 IMG_8706

My family and I like to make a day of the special events each year. We always make reservations for the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package and spend the day going around World Showcase listening to the different storytellers. I love looking at all the decorations that are country-specific too. We also make sure to sample some of the special holiday treats that are available – make sure to pick up a passport!

bûche de Noël
bûche de Noël
Gluhwein
Gluhwein
Frozen Peppermint Trifle
Frozen Peppermint Trifle

All of the countries feature a special holiday performer or storyteller (or two). We can never fit in all the storytellers in one day, but I have seen all of them at least once before. There are descriptions posted at each country that are worth a read even if you don’t catch the performer. Here is a description of all of them with pictures of the ones we caught over the weekend, plus some of the decorations in the countries.

Canada – The Holiday Voyageurs perform on the Mill Stage singing songs and describing holiday traditions of different regions in Canada.

Canada at night
Canada at night
Canadian Moose
Canadian Moose

United Kingdom – Father Christmas tell us what the holiday season is like in the United Kingdom and explains the mistletoe custom. There’s also a short sing-a-long of Deck the Halls, a song that comes from Wales.

UK Garland
UK Garland
Holiday Tea Set
Holiday Tea Set
Description Card
Description Card
Father Christmas
Father Christmas

France – Père Noël tells us the story of Babette and her Christmas wish. Through the story we learn about french customs.

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Morocco – Hear about holidays and festivals in Morocco, focusing on celebrating the harvests with dances and feasts.

Japan – Listen to the story of the Daruma doll and New Year’s celebrations in Japan.

American Adventure – Hear about the traditions of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and the histories behind them. Santa and Mrs. Claus also meet and Voices of Liberty wear Dickens style clothes and sing songs of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. This year there is a gingerbread Capitol building and Washington Monument inside the rotunda.

Gingerbread Capitol and Washington Monument
Gingerbread Capitol and Washington Monument
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Capitol Building
Voices of Liberty
Voices of Liberty
Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Santa and Mrs. Claus

Italy – La Befana is a witch who brings presents to children in Italy on the Eve of the Epiphany. She tells a story of searching for the Christ child.

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IMG_8814Germany – Helga tells us all about the Christmas traditions in Germany, many of which we have adopted here in the United States like the Christmas tree and the nutcracker.

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China – The Lion Dancers perform and bestow good luck wishes for the New Year.

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Norway – Sigrid explains the holiday traditions of Norway while Julenissen tries to make her believe in the Christmas gnome, with a lot of help from the audience.

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Mexico – Mariachi Cobre and dancers perform traditional songs and dances. Musicians and dancers are fantastic in this and there’s even a piñata for the kids.

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The headliner of Epcot’s Holidays Around the World is the Candlelight Processional. A celebrity narrator reads scripture from the Christmas story surrounded by a choir and an amazing orchestra. Our narrator was Gary Sinise. It’s definitely a must-see. We like getting the dinner package at least once so we get seats without waiting in a long line. Other times we’ve stood in the back and still enjoyed it.

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Of course, we have to end the day with Illuminations, which features a special holiday ending at this time of year with the countries wishing for Peace on Earth.

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Spending the day at Epcot during the holiday season will definitely get you into the spirit.

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The Orlando Eye Introduces Eye Glow

Eye Glow Orlando Eye

The Orlando Eye Introduces Eye Glow

The attraction’s nighttime concept provides a fun, new way for visitors to kick off their evening at I-Drive 360

 

The Orlando Eye has introduced a new nighttime experience on the 400-foot observation wheel with Eye Glow, and it is a great way to add an extra dash of fun to your nighttime experience.

Eye Glow Orlando Eye

Eye Glow offers Guests the opportunity to upgrade their flight experience with the Eye Glow package which includes a flight of wine, beer or cider, or glass of champagne, and premium access to the new & vibrant lounge, before boarding the observation wheel.

Eye Glow Orlando Eye

The private lounge features bright lights, glow elements and dance music to provide the perfect party atmosphere to kick off the evening. Eye Glow offers an ideal starting off point for date nights, a girls’ night out on the town, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and more.

Eye Glow The Orlando Eye

“International Drive and I-Drive 360 are home to some exciting nightlife options, and we wanted to provide a perfect option for our guests to transition from their restaurant dining experience to their night out on the town,” said Robin Goodchild, general manager of the Orlando Eye. “Eye Glow combines the best of both worlds with a fun, lounge experience that moves effortlessly into a capsule for guests to continue the party with a nighttime flight on the Eye!”

Eye Glow Orlando Eye

Eye Glow packages are available nightly from 6 p.m. until close. Guests can buy the upgraded package online or upgrade their general admission flight in-person at the Orlando Eye.

For more information on the new Eye Glow experience or to purchase tickets, visit OfficialOrlandoEye.com.

Eye Glow The Orlando Eye

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Colortopia Presented By Glidden Is Now Open At Epcot

Colortopia Glidden Epcot Innoventions

Colortopia Presented By Glidden Is Now Open At Epcot

New interactive exhibit creates colorful experiences for Guests of all ages

Colortopia Presented by Glidden is a new and colorful experience opened at Epcot, and it is such a great addition to Innoventions East!

Colortopia is an interactive, educational experience that is full of memories, inspiration, and fun.

Colortopia Glidden Epcot Innoventions

To experience the Colortopia exhibit, the Glidden brand has created three unique walk-through areas that bring to life color theory, the psychology of color and the perception of color, all while engaging Guests in fun and surprising hands-on activities.

Colortopia Glidden Epcot Innoventions

The three areas of the exhibit include:

  • The Power of Color – After you enter this specially designed standing theater, you find yourself engulfed in color that is overwhelming in the best way possible to explore the psychology of color. It really gets you thinking of the immediate response and memories that color holds.

Colortopia Glidden Epcot Innoventions

  • The Color Lab – There are two activities located inside The Color Lab area that are incredibly interactive and competitive.

    In Color Mix ‘n Match, you use slides to mix red, green and blue to create bold new colors. I played this game several times through, because it was incredibly interesting to learn how color is mixed and tons of competitive fun. I don’t mean to brag…but I am a Honolulu Color Guru!

    Spinning Spectrums is the second interactive area in The Color Lab that shows the persistence of vision through painted spinning discs. Before pressing the buttons you have to guess what color their eyes will perceive once the multi-colored discs start to spin quickly, which is trickier than you may think!

Colortopia Glidden Epcot Innoventions

  • Color Our World –  Guests can play with fun color shadows while they wait to receive a magic paint brush, which they can use in the studio to bring the world around them to life with their personal color choices.

Combining Glidden paint’s rich tradition of innovation and color inspiration with the creative power of Walt Disney Imagineering was a perfect collaboration to create a one-of-a-kind experience that engages visitors with color in ways they never have before,” said Max Wetzel, chief marketing officer and general manager of home centers, PPG Architectural Coatings, U.S. and Canada, makers of Glidden paint. “With the Glidden brand, we know the important role color plays when selecting paint for your home. Color also has a powerful role in our everyday lives, and it is truly brought to life in the Colortopia exhibit.

Colortopia by Glidden paint demonstrates that color is not only a visual treat, but also a dynamic and emotional experience that fits in well with Disney’s history in color exploration and innovation.

Starting with Disney’s premier full-color film in 1932, our company has been fascinated by color,said Melissa Valiquette, vice president, Epcot. That fascination is evident throughout our parks and our resorts and is why we’re thrilled to collaborate with Glidden as we work together to bring Colortopia to life for our guests.”

Colortopia Glidden Epcot Innoventions

If you think that the fun ends when you leave the 3,700 square-foot exhibit you’re wrong!

The Colortopia experience extends beyond the exhibit with the Colortopia mobile app and website, allowing Guests to bring a world of colorful fun into their own homes.

Colortopia Glidden Epcot Innoventions

I can’t wait to share more about the Colortopia App soon! 

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