Viva la Música Archives - On the Go in MCO

Viva la Música At SeaWorld Orlando Concludes With Ednita Nazario This Weekend

Viva la Música At SeaWorld Orlando Concludes With Ednita Nazario This Weekend On May 16

SeaWorld Orlando’s festive fiesta, Viva la Música, will conclude with Ednita Nazario taking the stage Saturday, May 16.

Latin Grammy-nominated Ednita Nazario is a Puerto Rican musician and singer-songwriter with more than 20 albums that have reached platinum and even triple platinum levels. Her albums have claimed the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums and Top Latin Pop Albums categories. Her landmark record Pasiones produced 11 number one hits in a row, becoming one of the year’s top records. She later made a debut on Broadway in Paul Simon’s musical The Capeman. As her discography continued to grow, Nazario’s releases consistently topped numerous Billboard categories.

Families and friends can celebrate Latin culture at this annual festival featuring live concerts by internationally renowned Latin musical artists, savory authentic cuisine by SeaWorld’s Executive Chef Hector Colon, family-friendly activities and unique merchandise from local artisans.

New this year, SeaWorld will transform the park’s garden area into a mini-fiesta for families. There will be monitors to watch the concert from afar, educational activities for children, domino tables, up-close encounters with some of SeaWorld’s amazing animal ambassadors and much more. Viva la Música festival activities begin at 1 p.m. each Saturday with concerts starting at 4 p.m. at Bayside Stadium.

New this year to the decadent array of Caribbean and Latin dishes is the tripleta sandwich and frozen piña colada. The tripleta sandwich is a hearty dish full of sizzling flavor made with roast pork, chicken, steak, cheese, potato sticks and a special SeaWorld sauce. Guests may also purchase a frozen piña colada and enjoy it straight out of a freshly cut pineapple.

Some returning favorites include: empanadas, chicharrones (fried pork rinds), bacalaítos (fried salted cod) and piraguas (shaved ice with tropical flavors). Pastries, beers, margaritas, mojitos, cuba libres, sangrias and wines are also available.

Special Packages

Guests can take advantage of SeaWorld’s VIP experiences and special packages with reserved seating. Packages come with an in-park spending credit that can be used toward savory cuisine, beverages, merchandise, Quick Queue and up-close animal experiences.
Front Row Seating – Starting at just $39, guests can reserve a front row seat (just inches away from the artists) and feel like part of the show. As an added bonus, guests will enjoy $10 toward in-park spending.

Floor Seating – Starting at just $19, guests can enjoy reserved floor seats right in front of the stage act. This package also includes $10 toward in-park spending.

The best way to experience Viva la Música and all of SeaWorld’s special events throughout the year is with a 2015 SeaWorld Orlando Fun Card, where guests pay for a day and play all year. Plus, for a limited-time, guests who purchase a Fun Card can also enjoy a one-day visit to Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.

Follow SeaWorld on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay on the beat with Viva la Música. Join the conversation with #SeaWorld and #VivaLaMusica.

Viva La Música Returns to SeaWorld Orlando

VIVA LA MÚSICA SIZZLES AT SEAWORLD ORLANDO

Sat., April 26 Kicks off this Fiery Festival

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 11, 2014) – Saturdays are heating up at SeaWorld Orlando during Viva la Música, Central Florida’s can’t-miss Latin food and concert festival taking place Saturdays, April 26 through May 17.

Celebrate the food, fun, sights and sounds of Latin culture at this annual festival, featuring live concerts by internationally renowned Latin musical artists, included with park admission.

Enjoy savory Latin cuisine prepared by SeaWorld Orlando’s Executive Chef, Héctor Colón. With more than 20 years experience – and a lifetime enjoying countless Caribbean and Latin dishes – Chef Colόn has added his touch to the traditional Latin favorites such as empanadas, arroz con pollo, carne frita and bacalaítos.

As with all SeaWorld special events, performances are included with admission, Fun Card or annual pass. Viva la Música festival activities begin at 12 p.m. each Saturday, with concerts starting at 3 p.m. at Bayside Stadium:

Saturday, April 26 – Chino y Nacho (reggaeton)

Chino & Nacho is a Venezuelan pop duo, consisting of Jesús Alberto Miranda Perez (Chino) and Miguel Ignacio Mendoza (Nacho). In 2010, the group won a Latin Grammy for Best Urban Album for “Mi Niña Bonita.” Formerly, the two men were part of the Venezuelan group, Calle Ciega.

Saturday, May 3 – La India (salsa)

India, also known as the new “Queen of Latin Soul,” made her debut in the music business in the ’80s, with the popular dance group TKA, one of the first Latin free style groups to take over the streets of New York. She is a multi- Grammy Nominee, and has collaborated with renowned vocalists such as Oscar De León, Gloria Estefan and Michael Stuart.

Saturday, May 10 – Victor Manuelle (salsa)

Originally from Puerto Rico, Victor Manuelle is an international star who has sold out concerts at Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall. “Si Tú Me Besas” reached number one on Billboard’s “Hot Latin Songs” chart.

Saturday, May 17 – Olga Tañón (merengue)

Olga Tañón is a Puerto Rican recording artist whose singing career began when she joined a group called “Las Nenas de Ringo y Jossie” (Ringo and Jossie’s Girls) in the ‘80s. A short time later a very popular group in Puerto Rico called “Chantelle” noticed her mezzo soprano voice and recruited her. Over the course of her career, she has earned two Grammy Awards, three Latin Grammy Awards, and 29 Premio Lo Nuestro Awards.

The amazing shows are general seating; however, reserved seating for your favorite concerts is available with the following packages:

Front Row VIP seating –Front Row seats can be purchased starting at $39.

Viva la Música VIP Package — Starting at $29, this special package includes a meal (entrée and any one item from a selection of side salads, side dishes or desserts, plus a regular-sized non-alcoholic beverage) at any Viva la Música food sampling area or SeaWorld cafeteria-style restaurant, plus reserved seating — Center Stage!

VIP seating – Want to make sure you get a good seat to your favorite show? Purchase this package to buy your reserved seats for $19.

All packages are available at SeaWorldOrlando.com.

The best way to experience Viva la Música is with a 2014 Annual Pass, starting at only $13 per month with EZpay, for Florida residents. Plus, with an Annual Pass, you can experience SeaWorld’s 50^th Celebration featuring new interactive experiences and shows, even more up-close animal encounters at the all-new SEA Garden and the SeaWorld “Surprise Squad” treating park guests with prizes and special experiences every day.

For more information, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com. Viva la Música event dates, times and artists are subject to change.

Details: The Annual Pass offer with EZpay is valid for Florida residents only. Annual Passes include free parking (Save $15 on each visit), no blackout dates, no down payment, unlimited admission for 1-year, discounts on dining and shopping, and more. For full details, click here.

* SeaWorld® Surprise Squad: No purchase or park visit necessary. Open to park visitors and to legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 years and older. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends 9/7/15. For Official Rules, how to enter by mail, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit Guest Services or SeaWorld.com/OfficialRules. Sponsor: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc., 9205 SouthPark Center Loop, Suite 400 Orlando, FL 32819.

Sea World’s Viva La Musica

Last week I was able to visit Sea World to experience some new attractions and special events for me. Viva La Musica is a Latin music festival that takes place in the spring at both Sea World and Busch Gardens. Last year I went to Busch Gardens and got to try some great food, but missed out on the concerts. I made a point when this year’s schedule came out to make sure that I caught at least one concert between the two parks. I was beyond ecstatic when I discovered my favorite salsa band, El Gran Combo, was going to be playing at Sea World and Busch Gardens for Viva La Musica this year!

I scheduled my entire weekend around attending the El Gran Combo concert at Sea World on May 4th. The weather wasn’t exactly gorgeous when I arrived at the park, so I decided to see if I could do a few rides before grabbing lunch and waiting for the concert to start at 3pm. I really hadn’t done any of the rides at Sea World before and had mostly focused on the animals and shows on my previous visits over the past year and a half. It was far past time, so I made a beeline for Manta hoping the dreary and drizzly weather was scaring off the tourists. To my luck I was able to walk on to Manta, Kraken and Journey to Atlantis all in less than an hour. I had never been in the aquarium at the exit of Journey to Atlantis and loved it!

Like most special events at Sea World, Viva La Musica is focused around the Bayside Pathway between the entrance and Bayside Stadium, where the concerts are. Vendors setup booths with Latin American and Hispanic artwork and merchandise. Then there is my favorite part: the food and drinks! I love the variety of options for food that are different than the normal park food. I opted for a fantastic grilled skirt steak with chimichurri sauce and sweet plaintains along with a tamarind flavored shaved ice treat for dessert. The food was great and I loved sitting and listening to the warmup salsa band on the secondary stage and watching all the guests getting out on the dancefloor. You even had the opportunity to get your picture taken with Shamu and his friends in their Salsa outfits!

Skirt steak with chimichurri and sweet plantains

Since I know from experience the concerts at Sea World special events like Viva La Musica fill up early, I went directly to Bayside Stadium to get a seat as soon as I finished lunch. I got there about an hour and a half early, which is way earlier than I would usually, but when I noticed the steady flow of guests heading that way, I was glad I did. I have never seen the stadium as full as this for any events before. It was amazing! El Gran Combo took the stage after a warm up act by the Miami Dolphin Cheerleaders. The concert was one of the best I’ve been to in a theme park and it was fantastic performance by my favorite salsa band. I’ve never seen as many guests up and dancing in the aisles at any of the dozens of concerts I’ve been to in my life.

On the way out of the park I had to swing by the Dolphin Nursery, which is one of my absolute must dos each trip to Sea World. I had a great afternoon experiencing Viva La Musica. This special event is over for the season, but when next spring rolls around, make sure you don’t miss Viva La Musica, which takes place at Sea World and Busch Gardens! Have you been to Viva La Musica before? Which bands have you seen?

Spring into Adventures

Spring is in the air. Hopefully the pollen and my allergies will clear up soon and it is heating up and starting to feel like summer here in Florida. I thought I’d take this opportunity to share some of the things I’m most looking forward to over the next couple of months instead of doing that spring cleaning that I probably should be doing. Now that I’ve found out my schedule for the rest of the spring and beginning of summer, I thought I’d start planning some weekend adventures. The parks across the area have some fantastic special events this time of year, and before the kids are out of school it is a great time to get away while the crowds are lower.

At Epcot we are already more than halfway through the International Flower & Garden Festival. I love this event each year and have been attending since 1998! I dearly miss Davy Jones of the Monkees, as his was always my go to concert for the Flower Power Concert Series. The thing I think I am most excited about (aside from the newly added food and beverage kiosks) is that my favorite HGTV celebrity, David Bromstad, is going to be hosting presentations May 17 – 19 and I’m now off that weekend!

Another of my favorite things that I will get to do for the third year in a row is Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This fabulous event has quickly become a must do for me! I still have so many things I haven’t done yet that are on my to do list. I need to get up early enough and get to the park to see the Stormtroopers on top of the entrance to the park above the turnstiles. Also, I really want to get my picture taken with as many of the characters as possible and go to some of the presentations and shows. And then, of course, there is Hyperspace Hoopla, my favorite of all! My apologies to anyone who now has that song stuck in their head (Hoooooooopla, Hyperspace Hoopla…).

Busch Gardens and Sea World are playing host to an awesome special event that I got to experience last year for the first time: Viva la Mύsica! This great offering is one that features Latin American food, merchandise, cuture, and of course, music. I got to go just for an hour or so to Busch Gardens after work last year and got to try to some amazing food, but was too late for the concert. This year I was hoping to catch at least one weekend at Busch Gardens and Sea World each. I was so excited when I found out that my favorite salsa band, El Gran Combo, was going to be playing at both parks. I know where I’ll be that weekend!

One of the greatest things about these three events is that they are all included in park admission. Food and beverages of course are extra, but the entertainment and most of the presentations are free of charge with your ticket. These add tremendous value to your vacation or even just a day in the park for us locals.

Water parks are definitely on my list for the next few months. I’ve lived in Florida for almost 20 years and I’ve only been to Typhoon Lagoon for a couple hours and did the lazy river and snorkled with the sharks before the park closed due to weather. This needs to be rectified. I’ve visited Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach for functions, but haven’t done a single water slide. This is a travesty! I also would love to check out some of the other area water parks like Sea World’s Aquatica and Adventure Island in Tampa.

Now we all know that sometimes with the spring come those showers that we need for those pretty flowers. What to do when it isn’t exactly park weather? Why not catch a film? Two movies I am ridiculously excited to see this spring are Marvel’s Iron Man 3 and Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University (visit this site if you haven’t already – it is hilarious!). I am a huge Avengers fan and loved the first Iron Man movie, enjoyed the second one, and adored the Avengers, so I cannot wait to see what they have in store for Tony Stark in this next installment. Monsters Inc was a great, feel good family flick and I think that this will be very entertaining to see some of Mike and Sulley’s adventures before they were best buds.

What are you looking forward to this spring? Did I miss any of your favorite spring special events? Have you been to any of these before? What are some of your favorite things to do in spring when the weather doesn’t cooperate? Hit us up and let us know.

Viva La Música Heats Up SeaWorld Orlando

Saturdays are hotter than ever at SeaWorld Orlando during Viva la Música, Central Florida’s can’t-miss Latin food and concert festival, April 13 through May 4.

Come celebrate the food, fun, sights and sounds of Latin culture at this annual festival, featuring live concerts by internationally renowned Latin musical artists, all included with park admission.

Enjoy savory Latin cuisine prepared by SeaWorld Orlando’s Executive Chef, Héctor Colón. With more than 20 years experience – and a lifetime enjoying countless Caribbean and Latin dishes – Chef Héctor Colόn has added his touch to the traditional Latin favorites such as arroz con gandules, arroz con pollo, habichuelas rojas y maduros, churrasco, ceviche, alcapurrias and bacalaítos.

As with all SeaWorld special events, performances are included with daily admission, Fun Card or annual pass. Viva la Música festival activities begin at 12 p.m. each Saturday, with concerts starting at 3 p.m. at Bayside Stadium:

Saturday, April 13 – Daddy Yankee (reggaeton)
Saturday, April 20 – Willie Colón (salsa)
Saturday, April 27 – Grupománia (merengue)
Saturday, May 4 – El Gran Combo (salsa)

Concerts are general seating. However, reserved seating for your favorite concerts is available with the Viva la Música VIP Package. Starting at $24, this special package includes a meal (entrée and any one item from a selection of side salads, side dishes or desserts, plus a regular-sized non-alcoholic beverage) at any Viva la Música food sampling area or SeaWorld cafeteria-style restaurant, plus reserved seating — Center Stage! VIP seating can be purchased separately starting at $14. Both packages are available at SeaWorldOrlando.com.

The best way to experience Viva la Música is with a 2013 SeaWorld Fun Card – you can pay for a day and come back all year through Dec. 31, 2013, to enjoy unlimited admission to all SeaWorld Orlando special events. Plus, with a Fun Card, you can experience Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, SeaWorld Orlando’s newest, must-see attraction opening May 24, as many times as you’d like! SeaWorld’s Antarctica will transport families into a rarely seen, icy world. You’ll feel the majestic grandeur of the South Pole and see it through the penguins’ eyes on an exhilarating, first-of-its-kind family ride.

For more information, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com. Viva la Música event dates, times and artists are subject to change.