Wordless Wednesday: All Aboard

Wordless Wednesday – October 9, 2013

 Wordless Wednesday Magic Kingdom Train

This week’s Wordless Wednesday is a shot I took from Kendra’s 1,000th ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. I was beyond excited to actually get such a great shot of the train as it was about to go under the TTA track! It’s definitely one of my favorite pictures!

 

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Pick Six: Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld Orlando

Halloween Spooktacular

A highlight of the Halloween Party season in Orlando for our family is Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld Orlando!

Halloween Spooktacular events at SeaWorld Orlando take place weekends in October on the 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, and 26-27 from 12 to 8 pm, and Trick-or-Treat stations, special characters, Penelope’s Party Zone, and more are all included with your admission! There are also special Halloween Spooktacular themed cookie decorating, merchandise, and games which are available at a very reasonable extra charge.

While the party is filled with great activities, characters, candy, and fun here are our favorite highlights of Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld Orlando!

Pick Six:

Halloween Spooktacular Orlando Highlights

1. Decorations

Halloween Spooktacular

I absolutely adore how SeaWorld Orlando is transformed for Halloween Spooktacular! You’ll find fishy looking pumpkins, tons of bubbles, colorful banners, and scenes that really transport you to a Halloween ‘Fantasea’! Zoe especially loves the bubbles everywhere!!!

2. Characters

Halloween Spooktacular

When you think of SeaWorld you may not think of meeting characters,  but you should! This year Pirate Shamu and friends are meeting and dancing with guests at Penelope’s Party Zone in Bayside Stadium. This is a HUGE improvement from last year’s meet and greet location, because the characters really know how to boogie and really who doesn’t want to dance with Shamu???

3. Free Activities

Halloween Spooktacular

Since Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld Orlando is during the day and centered around family fun, there are really great free activities for kids of all ages! For the younger guests at Halloween Spooktacular, there are coloring easels with stools and play areas. And for the older guests, there are pumpkin foam crafts to make and iPads with big screens set up to play the SeaWorld Turtle Trek game! These activities are all found in Penelope’s Party Zone, and I will warn parents that you will spend a lot of your Halloween Spooktacular time here!

4. Cookie Decorating

Halloween Spooktacular

Every year there is a special treat to decorate, and this year’s cookie decorating doesn’t disappoint! On the upper walkway of Bayside Stadium you will find the cookie decorating tents where you can purchase a cookie decorating kit for $5.50, which includes a cookie, icing, decorating sprinkles & candies, and your choice of water, apple juice, and milk. What I especially love about this area is that it is a place where you and your children can sit away from the party to grab a snack and let them unwind for a spell. If you are a SeaWorld Orlando Annual Passholder, you will receive a discount on the cookie decorating kit!

5. Animal Interactions

Halloween Spooktacular

Zoe ALWAYS loves the animal interactions that she finds when we visit SeaWorld Orlando, and she loves them even more when she can take a picture with them in her Halloween costume! The day we attended Halloween Spooktacular, Zoe met a Tawny Frogmouth, who was super soft and sweet!

6. Trick-or-Treating

Halloween Spooktacular

I left our favorite highlight for last…Trick-or-Treating! At Halloween Spooktacular Trick-or-Treating is no joke! You can enter the Underwater Fantasea Path near Shamu Stadium or at the path near the Dolphin Nursery, and the path takes you through the center of all the Halloween Spooktacular fun with 12 Trick-or-Treating spots. The lines are clearly marked which keeps things really organized, and the type of candy being distributed is clearly displayed so you can see if you want to stop or if you need to start thinking of a candy trade to make! You also don’t have to worry about bringing a bag for your treats, because they have high quality paper bags and maps at both entrances to the path!

When you do go to Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld Orlando, make sure that you follow SeaWorld on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram for great details and information! If you are sharing pictures also make sure to tag your pictures with #SeaWorldSpooktacular, because SeaWorld wants to hear from you and they are even holding contests for attendees!

I hope that you enjoyed our Pick Six for Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld Orlando, and I’d love to hear what you love the best about this family-friendly and fun filled Halloween event!

 

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Orlando Canine Country Club Review

Orlando Canine Country Club

Since I was planning to take a longer trip away from home than I normally do, I decided to try a new place that opened up by the Airport named Orlando Canine Country Club. I had saw the Orlando Canine Country Club booth at the Posh Pooch Celebration Event In February, and they seemed like they would be a great fit for us.

I called and made an appointment for them to “interview” Jasper.  At the interview I filled out forms, they petted Jasper, and then Jasper waited in a playroom while I took a tour of the facility.

Orlando Canine Country Club
Orlando Canine Country Club Facility

 

The suites were decently sized and open so you could see in, they have an open floor plan.  I returned  and then they took Jasper to go play with the other dogs, then Jasper came back and they said I needed to get a harness and recommended I have Jasper wear it  a week before his arrival, and that I could firm up my drop off time via email before I arrived.

httpv://youtu.be/wUNHLc7xyRY

My mom picked us up and we went to drop Jasper off before she dropped us off.  Todd seemed pretty impressed, Jasper was excited to arrive.  We were told they were making changes to the webcams, we said see you later to Jasper and we were off.

During our vacation, we took time away to call in and see how he was doing, of course he was having fun and naps as scheduled. After we returned, my mother in law emailed letting us know she saw him briefly on the webcam.

Orlando Canine Country Club
Orlando Canine Country Club Pool

I picked him up on the Monday after I returned, he looked great and was ready to head home.

Pricing for the Orlando Canine Country Club was $30 per night which is very reasonable, and I probably will use them again if I’m flying for vacation since they are so close to the airport.

Well I’m sure I haven’t answered everything, they have a FAQ if you have more questions.

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Wordless Wednesday – Outside Hogwarts

Wordless Wednesday – October 2, 2013

Wordless Wednesday Universal Islands of Adventure

This week’s Wordless Wednesday takes us to just outside of Hogwarts in Universal’s Island of Adventure at the Universal Orlando Resort. I could seriously spend all day in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter wandering the streets of Hogsmeade!!!

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Ocean Spray Bog Returns to Epcot for Food & Wine Festival

Ocean Spray Returns to Epcot For The18th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

The Ocean Spray Bog is back with tips on how to incorporate cranberries into everyday living

Ocean Spray Bog

At the 18th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival park guests have the opportunity to learn about how cranberries are grown and how every part of this versatile fruit is used at the cranberry bog near the Fountain of Nations.

httpv://youtu.be/FG6Nc_Gxz0E

I had the chance to take a dip in the bog, to talk to a few of the Ocean Spray growers, and to try several dishes from around the world that were created with cranberries and Craisins to kick of the Festival!

Ocean Spray Bog

This was my second year strapping on waders and heading into the bog, and it is was just as much fun as it was the first time around. The floating berries, chatting with people as they are walking by, and talking to Ocean Spray growers and hearing their family stories is a great way to spend an evening.

Ocean Spray Bog
Our menu of international dishes featuring Craisins

The international dishes we were able to sample were absolutely amazing! I would have never thought of some of these cranberry flavor combinations, but they were delightful!

My favorites were the Craisin glazed Pork Belly with white cheddar maple grits with cranberry and sea salt cured wild salmon with maple sugar crystals from Canada, the Craisin infused five spice char Kobe beef with Sriracha with Craisin vegetable fried rice from Japan, and the mole shrimp quesadilla with cranberry salsa from Mexico. The artisan cheese stuffed mini Craisin Brioche from France was also delicious!

Ocean Spray Bog
The pork belly from Canada was beyond tender and flavorful and the salmon had a sweet undertone that cut paired well with the natural taste of wild salmon.
Ocean Spray Bog
While the Kobe Beef was definitely the star of this dish from Japan, the cranberry and Sriracha combo of slightly tart and spicy was amazing!
Ocean Spray Bog
I am always a sucker for mexican dishes, but the sweet mole shrimp quesadilla filling that with a tart and spicy cranberry salsa made for a tasty pair!

Also until November 11th, chefs at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will showcase the delicious versatility of Craisins Dried Cranberries through select chef demonstrations and private events, at certain restaurants, and at the Hops & Barley Marketplace.

“The beauty of the cranberry isn’t just what you see on the outside, it’s how it makes you feel on the inside,” said Ken Romanzi, COO, Ocean Spray Global. “Through our sponsorship at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, we can illustrate the many ways cranberries can be incorporated into snacks and meals every day, and educate guests about the healthy origins of the fruit.”

The cranberry bog at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is filled with more than 1,000 lbs. of floating cranberries, and is manned with Ocean Spray farmers all to happy to share their heritage, passion for growing cranberries, and spread the word about the healt benefits from these tasty fruits!

If you are passing through Epcot during the Festival, make sure you stop by the bog for a bit to talk to one of Ocean Spray Bog farmers and I am sure you will be surprised at how versatile the cranberry really is and also make sure you try one of the many tasty Craisin dishes!

Ocean Spray Bog
Good night from the Ocean Spray Bog!

Can’t make it to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival? Visit www.oceanspray.com for delicious everyday ideas and seasonal inspirations from around the world. Cranberry lovers eager to share their stories and recipes are encouraged to tweet @OceanSprayInc or post on Ocean Spray’s Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram pages.

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Ripley’s Orlando Odditorium Oddtoberfest

Ripley’s Orlando Odditorium Serves up Free Fall Fun

with Second Annual Oddtoberfest

Believe It Or Not

 Performers, live music, food and more at October 12 event 

October is famous for the one day full of fright, fun and festivities. Of course that day is Oddtoberfest at Ripley’s Orlando (ok, Halloween is pretty cool too).

On Saturday, October 12, Ripley’s Orlando holds its second annual Oddtoberfest from noon to 5 pm.  It’s a day to pay homage and celebrate the unusual, and the public is invited to take part in this FREE event.

Oddtoberfest
Trick Ropin’ Trevor performing at Ripley’s Oddtoberfest 2012

The day’s events include:

  • Sensei Mike Reeves and his Over the Edge Team display their amazing karate skills. Reeves will break bricks and boards and even attempt to break a few world records!
  • “Trick Ropin’ Trevor” Dreher will display his world-class trick roping talents.
  • “Qubits” founder Mark Burginger will build a 13 foot tall tower made entirely from Qubits toy pieces. He and the company were featured on ABC’s Shark Tank.
  • Live music from Beebs and Her Money Makers. Fresh off the Vans Warped Tour, the group is as close to being Ripley’s house band as you can get. Ripley’s sponsored them on the Vans tour, and the band shot the video for their hit Jumpin’ at the Orlando Odditorium.
  • Amazing vehicles from Parker Brothers Concepts; see the famous Green Machine – but this is no kid’s toy; it’s adult size and powered by a motorcycle engine!
  • Food trucks
  • Carnival games and prizes
  • Face painting
  • Temporary tattoo artist
  • Bounce house
Oddtoberfest
Beebs and Her Money Makers return to rock Oddtoberfest

The event will be held in the parking lot rain or shine and is FREE to the public. Guests who want to tour the Odditorium will be required to purchase tickets.

Ripley’s Orlando Odditorium, located at 8201 International Drive, is open from 9 a.m. to midnight 365 days a year. For more information, please visit www.ripleys.com/orlando.

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Two Disney Vacation Club Announcements!

This week the Disney Vacation Club was busy, as they announced two very different but both very cool new things coming to DVC

Disney Vacation Club

 

Share Your Memories: Disney Vacation Club Member Challenge

Disney Vacation Club Members can participate in the Share Your Memories Pinterest challenges to win some pretty awesome prizes!

The first of three challenges is posted on the Share Your Memories Disney Vacation Club Members site, and if you are into Pinterest this challenge is super easy and looks like a lot of fun!

After members register on the Share Your Memories site, all they then have to then do is create a board on Pinterest with images showing all the ‘must-see’s’ and ‘must-do’s’ on the most magical Disney Vacation Club vacation you can imagine. The deadline to submit the URL to the dream pin boars is 11:59 AM ET on November 4, 2013.

The Pinterest Prize Package for this challenge includes 4 Walt Disney Worldor DisneylandResort Annual Passes, a Disney VIP Tour Service experience, autographed copies of “The Sherman Brothers Songbook” and “Dream it! Do It!” by Martin Sklar, plus a Disney Vacation Club Gift Bag!

Make sure you take a peek at the Official Contest Rules before you enter!

 

Disney Vacation Club at Disney’s Polynesian

Disney Vacation Club announced that its planned next location will be at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, located on Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World Resort. When this resort is completed, Disney Vacation Club will have destinations at all three resorts on the monorail system, allowing easy access to Magic Kingdom Park.

The planned development project at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, when completed, will join Disney Vacation Club’s 12 other properties, including The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, scheduled to open Oct. 23. Construction on the Polynesian project began this month, and completion is estimated to be in 2015. In addition to the Disney Vacation Club project, other guest areas within Disney’s Polynesian Resort will undergo refurbishment. More information and project details will be shared at a later date.

Disney Vacation Club debuted in October 1991 with a flexible, vacation point-based model rather than the traditional fixed-week timeshare model. Disney Vacation Club is approaching a total of 200,000 member families from all 50 states and approximately 100 countries who have discovered the joys of membership.

Disney Vacation Club members are able to choose from among a variety of vacation destinations, including a stay at any Disney Vacation Club Resort or at more than 500 other destinations around the world, and when they purchase directly from Disney, members also can take trips on one of the Disney Cruise Line ships or guided vacations with Adventures by Disney. Additionally, vacations at a Disney Vacation Club Resort can last from one night to several weeks.

For more information about Disney Vacation Club, visit www.disneyvacationclub.com.

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SeaWorld Orlando Penguins Up Close Tour

 Penguins Up Close Tour

SeaWorld Orlando Penguins Up Close Tour

When I was younger I used to dream about having a penguin that lived in our freezer, so when I had the opportunity to see one up close I jumped that the opportunity!

Earlier this year SeaWorld Orlando opened Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, and now the park is offering the Penguins Up Close Tour where guests can experience what it is like to work and live in this attraction and habitat.

The Penguins Up Close Tour is approximately 45 minute long, and is a walking tour that takes guests behind the scenes at the Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin to see what it takes to keep these beautiful birds happy and healthy.

The tour is led by an Animal Care Specialist who is extremely knowledgeable about the birds and exhibit, and beyond happy to answer any and all of your questions!

 Penguins Up Close Tour
A look at Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin from the Penguins Up Close Tour

It was fascinating to learn about their health care routines, feeding breakouts, and just how much manual labor goes into maintaining the penguin’s habitat.

 Penguins Up Close Tour

For me the absolute highlight of the tour is that you get a rare opportunity to interact with and touch a penguin! It was beyond amazing!  It also becomes apparent how easily Animal Care Specialists tell them apart, because their personalities shine in this encounter!

 Penguins Up Close Tour

Seasonal pricing for the Penguins Up Close Tour starts at $59 ages 10 and up and $39 ages 3-9 plus tax. SeaWorld Orlando Pass Members can also save 10% by booking online or calling 1-888-800-5447!

The Penguin Up Close Tour is offered several times a day, and because of the space in the attraction the groups are quite small which creates a very intimate environment where you really get the chance to experience the offerings instead of jockeying for space.

 Penguins Up Close Tour

The Penguins Up Close Tour was absolutely amazing, and having the opportunity to interact with the penguins was a dream come true for me!  I cannot recommend this tour highly enough for animal enthusiasts!!!

 Penguins Up Close Tour

There are a few things to keep in mind when booking the Penguins Up Close Tour:

  • It is 30° inside of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, and while there is some adjusting to the temperature stops included in the tour make sure to wear appropriate clothing. You will be chilly!
  • There are slick surfaces on the walking tour, so you will want to wear shoes that are okay to get wet and have some tread on them for safety’s sake.
  • You are allowed to take pictures with your phone and cameras, however you will want to be careful about condensation on your lens.
  • Participants must check in at the Information & Reservations Counter at least 30 minutes prior to the tour start time.
  • All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Small groups will be combined to form a tour group of about 12 guests.
  • Children under 3 are free but need a tour reservation.
  • Late arrivals may miss tour components or may not be accommodated due to limited tour availability.
  • Tour times, prices and components are subject to change and availability.
  • Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice are non-refundable.
  • SeaWorld admission is required, but not included.
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Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Giveaway!

The 2013 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is here and is fun as ever!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6l2WlLMum8&feature=share&list=UUxhza5Nkv4ukqKmIFLE9dgA

This special event at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World takes place in the evenings on selected nights in September and October. For more information, see our post here.

Along with events at the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, there is exclusive Park Merchandise and even a Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card and here is your chance to win one!

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party 2013 Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card
This is the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2013 Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card that we are giving away!!!

To win the 2013 Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party exclusive card all you have to do is subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Make sure you leave a comment below the 2013 Mickey’s Not So Scary Party Highlights video letting us know that you have subscribed and want to be entered into the contest!

We’ll draw a winner using random.org at midnight on October 18, 2013! Good luck and Happy haunts!!!

Make sure you keep up with all our adventures at @onthegoinmco on TwitterFacebookInstagram, and Pinterest!

Disclaimer: I am giving away my personal 2013 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Card. We didn’t get an extra and no tricks were played to get this treat. Just don’t tell Zoe…

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My Swiss Family Treehouse Story

Growing up Swiss Family Robinson was one of my most favorite movies of all times, and I remember running up these stairs of the Swiss Family Treehouse on my first visit with a spring in my step (I was only 9 at the time)!

Now I still venture up the 116 stairs of the Disneyodendron Eximus, but my spring is more of a jaunt now!

Swiss Family Treehouse

If you haven’t seen the movie, the Swiss Family Treehouse recreates the home the Robinson family built following a shipwreck.

When their ill-fated ship, the Swallow, becomes stranded off the coast of an uninhabited South Seas island after a pirate attack, the Robinson family unites to build a new home inside a huge tree, utilizing wreckage from the ship. But the pirates return, and the Robinson family must band together and evade capture.

httpv://youtu.be/HFzRVpD_Qzk

The Swiss Family Treehouse is a walk-though tour that takes about 15-20 minutes on a somewhat busy day, so if you’re unable to climb the stairs on your own or with the aid of someone within your party, it is recommended that you skip this attraction.

Swiss Family Treehouse

After you cross a bridge that lies at the foot of a large leafy tree, you will find a large wooden wheel gathers water from a stream and carries it up to the various rooms inside the Treehouse. And as you look further up at the 6 story tree covered with over 300,000 leaves, you will find open-air rooms that are full of great details from the movie.

Swiss Family Treehouse

If you are a fan of the movie, you will absolutely appreciate all of the rooms in the Treehouse! There are so many great details that will put a smile on your face!

Swiss Family Treehouse

The Living Room
Mahogany furniture, dishware and an organ mingle alongside the large wheel from the shipwrecked Swallow ship.
The Kitchen and Dining Room
A clamshell sink, a volcanic stone hearth and oven, and a table with benches are just some of the more modern conveniences you’ll see.
The Crow’s Nest
See the living quarters of sons Fritz, Ernst and Francis, complete with hammocks, a ragged chest and strewn clothing.
Study/Library 
Home to antique books, a desk, a handmade bamboo chair and a lantern, this is where the Robinsons came to feed their minds and their souls.
Jungle Lookout 
Boasting panoramic views from the top of the tree, this perch provided the Robinsons with serenity during their stay on the island.
View at the Top
Those who reach the summit of the treehouse will enjoy 360-degree views of Adventureland and Magic Kingdom park, particularly the river on which the Jungle Cruise boats sail. At over 6 stories high, it’s a spectacular sight to see!

Swiss Family Treehouse

Swiss Family Treehouse is a lot of fun, but it definitely isn’t for the faint of heart or for those looking to have a leisurely visit to the Magic Kingdom.

I really love this attraction, and hope that you enjoyed joining me while I re-visited some of my favorite childhood memories!

Swiss Family Treehouse

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SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular

SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular

AN OCEAN OF HALLOWEEN FUN AWAITS AT

SEAWORLD ORLANDO’S HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR

Join SeaWorld Orlando every weekend in October for silly, spooky fun at Halloween Spooktacular. During this daytime event, families will be immersed in an underwater “fantasea” filled with trick-or-treating, dancing with sea fairies and pumpkin fish and sea-themed arts and crafts.SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular takes place weekends in October: 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27, from 12 to 8 p.m., leaving the littlest of trick-or-treaters wide-eyed for all of the fun-filled activities. Halloween Spooktacular is included with park admission.

 SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular

Spooktacular Highlights Include:

NEW this year: Spooktacular Dance Party

Princess Penelope and her undersea friends invite guests to join the Spooktacular Dance Party, where children can dance along to a Spooktacular mix of line-dancing favorites as clouds of bubbles fill the evening air. The party will kick off at the front of the park every event night an hour before SeaWorld’s park closing time.

Waves of Trick-or-Treat Fun

Offering more than two million pieces of sweet treats, costumed youngsters can trick-or-treat “under the sea.” Each trick-or-treat station features an assortment of ghoulish goodies including Tootsie Roll, Jelly Belly jelly beans, Airheads and other candy favorites.

Penelope’s Party Zone

Located at SeaWorld’s Bayside area, this dynamic underwater environment comes to life each day with a live DJ, a variety of interactive crafts to choose from, countless bubbles floating overhead and colorful pumpkin fish gliding around!

Sweet Treat Decorating

Kids and parents alike can have a “splash” creating their own sweet treats at the cookie decorating station. Kids will be able to decorate and devour their spooky cookie when they purchase a kit that comes equipped with a cookie, frosting and toppings.

Jelly Belly® Bean Art to Come to Life at Spooktacular

Jelly Belly artist in residence, Kristen Cumings, will use more than 10,000 Jelly Belly jelly beans to create a portrait of rockhopper penguins, reflecting SeaWorld’s all-new, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. Guests can watch as this handmade jelly bean creation comes together in front of their eyes during the final weekend of Halloween Spooktacular, Oct. 26 and 27. Kids can join in the fun too, with the opportunity to decorate a Halloween Spooktacular mural with a variety of Jelly Belly jelly beans.

Not included with admission to SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular, but always a really fun time is…

Count von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast

Halloween Spooktacular
This is Zoe with a special greeter at the Count Von Count Spooktacular Breakfast last year

1-2-3… Dine with me! Don’t walk around on an empty stomach, stay 1 step ahead of hunger! What goes great with your 2 morning eggs? How about infinite hugs from Count von Count, Elmo and his furry friends! Featuring a delicious buffet sprinkled with the hottest characters  in town, the Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast is a fun-filled experience sure to delight kids and parents alike. You can “count” on it! Adults $24, Child (2-9) $14.

We’ll be heading to SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular, and will be bringing you all sorts of great tips, tweets, and pictures!

Halloween Spooktacular

Make sure to Like SeaWorld Orlando on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram for the latest details about SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular. #SeaWorldSpooktacular

 

 

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Wordless Wednesday: Halloween Mickey & Minnie

Wordless Wednesday – September 11, 2013

 Wordless Wednesday

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! So when I start to see the Halloween decorations go up at the Magic Kingdom I get really excited! This week’s Wordless Wednesday takes us to the fun windows of the Emporium on Main Street USA! I absolutely adore Minnie and Mickey’s new Halloween outfits, and can’t wait to go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party on Friday!

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Baby Care Center – Epcot

This post is the second in a mini series about the Baby Care Centers at Walt Disney World, there will be four total; one for each theme park.

For the first post we went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and for this installment we will be traveling to Epcot.

 

Signs to the Baby Care Center.

 

Epcot’s Baby Care Center is located in the Odyssey building next to First Aid. It’s about as centrally located as you can get in a park with a lagoon in the middle. Strollers can’t come into this Baby Care, but there is parking right outside the doors.  

 

Stroller parking area, right outside.

 

When you first walk in, there is a little lobby area with a couch, usually occupied by dads or grandparents. There is a short hallway & then you are usually greeted by the Cast Member stationed there. 

Little lobby.

 

To the right is the little play room. There is a TV in there playing Disney Channel or a Disney movie, several chairs for sitting, & some toys for the kids to play with. A minor thing to consider, there is no food allowed in this room. 

Play room.

 

A little further down the hall on the right are full sized adult restrooms. A nice thing to have right there. The hallway ends with the changing room. There are four large, nicely padded changing tables in this room, along with a hand washing sink. 

Roomy changing tables.

 

Continuing back down the hall (as if you were headed to the exit), you have the feeding room/mini gift shop. This room has a few small merchandise displays of Baby Mickey & Minnie plush, rattles, bibs, & onsies. This area has a child sized table and chairs along with high chairs and regular sized chairs for adults. 

The feeding room, with merchandise.

 

The next room is the kitchen & supplies room, very important!! They have filtered water, a microwave, sterilizer, bottle warmer, & a sink. They also carry all those forgot to grab before you left the house/hotel items or things you just run out of. They have bottles, pacifiers, diaper kits, food, sippy cups, formula, juice, sunscreen, sundries & some childrens medicines!

Kitchen/merchandise shop.

 

Items available for sale.

 

Last but not least, is the nursing room. Not my favorite of the four parks, but at least it’s there! This nursing room, unlike the ones at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which I’ll cover later) is a public one. Only nursing mothers are allowed in the room, but it still holds 4 at a time. The room is quite large, it has 4 non-padded wooden rocking chairs, each side of the room has a small table between the 2 chairs, outlets all over the room for pumping or charging a cell phone, and there are dimmer lights over each chair. If the room is set up properly by the Cast, the four chairs all face the center of the room. A lot of mothers will turn their chair around to face the wall instead. Most of the time when we’ve gone in there, we’re either the only ones or there is only one other person in there. Only once have I ever gone in (and we go at least once a month) and there been a wait, all 4 chairs occupied and one lady nursing sitting on the floor. That is far from a normal day though!

Door to the nursing room.

 

Chairs in the nursing room.

 

Of all four Baby Care Centers, this is our second most visited and our third favorite! Stay tuned for our next installment!

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Wordless Wednesday: Intergalactic Lunch

Wordless Wednesday: August 28, 2013

Wordless Wednesday
This week’s Wordless Wednesday takes us to Springfield at Universal Studios Florida for a different kind of lunchtime treat.
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Jack Hanna Returns to SeaWorld Orlando

Celebrity wildlife expert Jack Hanna returns to SeaWorld Orlando on September 14-15 for Jack Hanna Weekend, accompanied by many of the world’s most amazing animal ambassadors.

Jack Hannah with Penguin at SeaWorld

Included with park admission, this special limited-time series takes place at Nautilus Theater on Saturday, September 14, and Sunday, September 15. Shows will be at 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m., and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Recognized around the world for his boundless enthusiasm for animals and conservation, “Jungle Jack” helps us share in his wondrous connection to wildlife and the world we share. Hanna’s past “co-stars” have included clouded leopards, chatty kookaburras, penguins and majestic eagles.

NEW: Dinner with Jack Hanna – September 14 & 15, 5:00 p.m.

Guests can enjoy a delicious buffet dinner at Dine with Shamu®, where they will mingle with Jack Hanna and meet his animal friends up-close. This VIP dinner offers a delicious menu, while “Jungle Jack” entertains guests with animal facts, tales of his adventures and answers questions from attendees.  Additionally, guests will receive one complimentary family photo with Jack, one complimentary adult beverage (for guests 21 and over) and special reserved seats at the 3:15 p.m. show.  Cost is $59 for adults, $49 for children ages 3-9. Children under 3 are free but require a reservation. Pass Members receive 10% discount.

Breakfast with Jack Hanna at Sharks Underwater Grill® – September 14 & 15, 9:00 a.m.

Meet Jack Hanna and his animal friends up-close during a special breakfast at Sharks Underwater Grill®.  This VIP experience features a hearty breakfast, while “Jungle Jack” teaches guests about some of his animal friends, speaks about his animal encounters and answers questions from those in attendance. Guests will receive one complimentary family photo with Jack and special reserved seats at the 1:15 p.m. show.  Cost is $49 for adults, $39 for children ages 3-9. Children under 3 are free but require a reservation. Pass Members receive 10% discount.

To learn more about Jack Hanna Weekend and all of SeaWorld Orlando’s events, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com and follow us on Facebook.

About Jack Hanna

Animal expert Jungle Jack Hanna’s hands-on approach has won him widespread acclaim as Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, conservationist, author, television personality, and lifelong adventurer. Recognized around the country as America’s favorite zookeeper, Jack has made countless television appearances since 1983 on shows such as Good Morning America, The Late Show with David Letterman, Larry King Live, The Talk, The Maury Show, Fox News Programs, and CNN News Programs. He is the host of TV’s Emmy award winning Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild and Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown. For more information, visit www.jackhanna.com

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