Now through June 21, 2013 Tables in Wonderland Members will receive discounts on the Cirque du Soleil La Nouba, which you can see at Downtown Disney Westside.
The discounted La Nouba performances are on Tuesdays – Saturdays, 6:00pm & 9:00pm, and can be up to 35% off depending on which category you purchase!
25% Discount for Category 2 Tickets:
Adult: $69.75 plus tax
Child: $55.50 plus tax
35% Discount for Category 3 Tickets:
Adult: $48.75 plus tax
Child: $39.00 plus tax
35% Discount for Category 4 Tickets:
Adult: $39.65 plus tax
Child: $31.85 plus tax
To take advantage of this discount, you can either call all 407-WDW-SEAT (407-939-7328) or you can visit
It’s important to know that Tables in Wonderland members may purchase tickets for themselves and up to three (3) Guests for these discounted shows of La Nouba. And you must also be able to show a current, valid Tables in Wonderland card to receive discount, when tickets are picked up at La Nouba Box Office Will Call window.
This is a great deal, and is a wonderful opportunity to see this great show!
Summer sizzles at Epcot as some of the world’s greatest tribute bands rock the stage on select summer nights. Classic hits U2, The Bee Gees, The Police, and many more will rock during Sounds Like Summer concert series. The high-energy performances for Walt Disney World Resort guests take place at the open-air America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase.
The Sounds Like Summer Concert Schedule:
Entertainment subject to change without notice
June 9 to 15: Stayin’ Alive ~ A Tribute to the Bee Gees
June 16 to 22: Hotel California ~ A Salute to the Eagles
June 23 to 29: Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot ~ The Ultimate Billy Joel Tribute Show
June 30 to July 6: Slippery When Wet ~ The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
July 7 to 13: SouthBound and Company ~ A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
July 14 to 20: The Police Experience ~ A Tribute to The Police
July 21 to 27: 2U ~ A Tribute to U2
Stayin’ Alive ~ A Tribute to the Bee Gees kicks off the Sound Like Summer Concert Series on Saturday, June 9 at the America Gardens Theatre in the Epcot World Showcase
Show times are 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00 p.m. – except on July 4 when show times are 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m.
Sounds Like Summer concerts are included with Epcot admission.
Universal Orlando recently debuted Fast Food Boulevard in Springfield, where the Simpson ride is located, in Universal Studios Florida. There is still more of Springfield to be completed later this summer, but be sure to check out this new area! It is a must-see for any Simpsons fan!
Colorful murals cover the walls in the main eating area of Fast Food Boulevard.
Within Fast Food Boulevard, you can find Krusty Burger, The Frying Dutchman, Luigi’s Pizza, and more. It is set up like a food court, and you can move about to decide what you would like to eat. A queue line and menus are available and will be in use during busier times.
The Krusty Burger comes with a 6 oz burger, secret sauce, lettuce, tomato, and cheddar cheese sauce all served on a specialty bun. It comes with ‘kurly’ fries and a pickle spear. You can also substitute fresh fruit or apple sauce for the fries for a slightly healthier option.
The ‘World Famous Lard Lad Donut’ can feed a group of friends. It is so good!
In addition to the outside entrance, you find that Moe’s Tavern also has an entrance off of the food court area. They have televisions playing a loop of scenes from The Simpsons that take place at Moe’s.
The best table in the room to sit at has to be the pool table!
You can even purchase a flaming Moe or Duff Beer , available in 3 varieties, in the food court, but it feels more authentic to order them in Moe’s Tavern!
The Flaming Moe is non-alcoholic, and is a must buy just to watch it smoke and bubble! It tastes similar to carbonated Orange Tang. Oh, and only Moe knows what makes it ‘flaming’.
I hope that you enjoyed this look at Fast Food Boulevard in Springfield, and we can’t wait for the rest of this area to open at Universal Studios Florida!
We’ll also be uploading even more pictures from Fast Food Boulevard to our Facebook Page, so be sure to swing by and check them out and ‘Like’ us!
Car Masters Weekend, now in its third year, is the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day as Downtown Disney West Side hosts a classic car show with a modern twist June 15-16, 2013. Featuring all things “Cars,” the event also showcases meet and greets with Disney•Pixar “Cars” and “Cars 2″ characters, a sock hop at Splitsville, select discounts on food and shopping, and more exciting entertainment for the whole family.
Car Masters Weekend June 15 to June 16, 2013 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Cars Meet ‘n’ Greet — Take pictures and get to know some of your favorite Characters from Cars and Cars 2, including Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile.
Downtown Disney Car Show — Lock your eyes on over 150 classic, muscle and exotic cars along the promenade. Pick your favorites and see which ones win awards.
Auto Personality Appearances — Fill up your schedule with special appearances by automotive legend Chip Foose, as well as Disney•Pixar’s Cars filmmaker Jay Ward. Purchase exclusive Chip Foose merchandise—you could get it signed by the man himself!
Disney•Pixar’s Cars Movie Marathon — See some of your favorite characters back on the big screen during a double feature of Disney•Pixar’s Cars and Cars 2 at AMC® Downtown Disney 24.
Car Masters Merchandise — Take the event home with you by making a purchase from a large selection of Cars-themed merchandise and event-specific souvenirs.
Exclusive Disney Activities — Race over to play Disney Infinity; then get revved up for future Disney film releases with interactive fun.
Go for a Test Drive — Take some of the Cars 2 RideMakerz models for a remote control test drive—you can even buy your own and take them home!
Exotic Driving Experience — Get up close to real-life supercars and learn how you can get behind the wheel at Walt Disney World Speedway.
Idle over to the Chevrolet Showcase — Pose for photos inside some of the newest models and discover the latest designs and technologies.
In a race for ‘Best in Show’ at Sunday’s awards ceremony, car enthusiasts from the local Muscle Car Network of Central Florida will display more than 150 classic, muscle and exotic cars for families to view and vote on their favorites. Guests also can take pictures with favorite Disney•Pixar “Cars” and “Cars 2″ characters Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile.
Revving up the fun, legendary automotive designer Chip Foose and Disney•Pixar “Cars” filmmaker Jay Ward will host celebrity chat shows on the Car Masters Stage throughout the weekend. Foose, who contributed to the design of Ramone in the Disney•Pixar “Cars” film, also will be on-hand for autograph sessions and will have Chip Foose design items available for purchase at the event.
New this year, Splitsville – the luxury bowling emporium — will take guests for a spin on the dance floor when it hosts the first Car Masters Weekend Sock Hop. This rockin’ and rollin’ special event, taking place Saturday from 6-9 p.m., features live entertainment, a fun bowling competition, a buffet of Splitsville delights, a limited bar, raffle prizes and special appearances by Foose and Ward. A limited number of Sock Hop tickets will be available beginning June 5 at DisneyCarEvent.com for $69 per person.
Sock-Hop at Splitsville Luxury Lanes
June 15, 2013
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Disney’s Sock-Hop Dancers – Watch these dancers strut their stuff with moves from the 50s and 60s. Then, get into the groove as a DJ spins tunes both old and new.
Celebrity Meet ‘N’ Greets – Meet automotive legend Chip Foose, as well as Disney•Pixar’s Cars filmmaker Jay Ward—meet the minds behind the wheel!
Delightful Food and Beverages – Take your pick from an appetizing buffet, complete with pizza, a nacho bar and Splitsville’s famous sliders. Price of admission comes with 2 tickets for select alcoholic beverages.
Bowling Competition – Get out on lanes and put your skills on the line against fellow Guests during an exciting bowling contest (limited availability).
Also making Car Masters Weekend debuts are a special street performance by artists with La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, a chance for guests to play the upcoming Disney Infinity video game and new interactive activities based on future Disney film releases “Monsters University,” “The Lone Ranger,” and “Planes.”
Fan-favorite Car Masters elements returning this year include the chance to test drive remote control “Cars 2″ RideMakerz models; vehicles on display from the Exotic Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway; live performances by the Car Masters Singers and DJ’s spinning classic-car tunes from the ’50′s and ’60′s. Guests also can idle over to the Chevrolet Showcase, pose for photographs inside the newest Chevrolet models and discover the latest in design and automotive technology. In addition, fans can purchase tickets for an all-day “Cars” and “Cars 2″ movie marathon at AMC Downtown Disney 24.
The event will take place at Downtown Disney West Side from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. For more information, visit DisneyCarEvent.com.
What makes Aquatica, SeaWorld’s WaterparkTM, Orlando’s can’t-miss waterpark? By offering the latest and hottest deal for locals to enjoy Central Florida’s coolest beach again and again – including the After-2 p.m. Pass.
For the cost of a single day’s admission, guests can enjoy Aquatica after 2 p.m. throughout the rest of 2013. With no blackout dates and unlimited admission after 2 p.m., Orlando’s coolest beach is a hit for all ages time after time. Whether it’s tiny tots splashing around in Kata’s Kookaburra Cove®, teens sliding down Taumauta Racer® or adults relaxing on the laid-back beaches, guests can enjoy Aquatica all year long.
Aquatica, SeaWorld’s WaterparkTM, is a one-of-a-kind waterpark that could only come from SeaWorld®. Inspired by a whimsical take on the South Seas, the park immerses guests in the playfulness of the sea, taking them in, over and under the water with the world’s most unique water rides and animal encounters.
Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark, mixes animal experiences, waters from serene to extreme, high speed waterslide thrills and wide, sandy beaches to create a day of non-stop fun.
Aquatica, SeaWorld’s WaterparkTM, After-2 p.m. Pass is $50 for children, ages 3-9, and $55 for adults.
To learn more or to buy your After-2 p.m. pass, visit AquaticaOrlando.com, call 888-800-5447, or visit our ticket counters at Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark.
This week’s Wordless Wednesday takes us to the Universal Orlando Resort’s Men in Black Alien Attack at Universal Studios Florida is where rookies go to train with the best of the best…just don’t look into the light…
Playing in a tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort is a dream come true for many athletes, and getting there is often a labor of love for Team Parents! Disney Sports Solutions helps make the process so much easier! From fundraising support to photography to custom event merchandise, they have help for you and your team.
Gene Kousoulas, Head Coach of Tappan Zee Softball Team, has brought several teams to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex over the years, and always looks forward to returning.
“The team is always excited to be traveling away from New York, and the fields at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex are always great” say Kousoulas.
Mr. Kousoulas also encourages teams to communicate as much as they can with their Disney Travel Coordinators, because they are there to help and are always ready with solutions.
Marybeth our host for the Team Mom Disney Sports Solutions Breakfast.
At a Team Mom Breakfast held in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill, Marybeth, a specialized Cast Member, helped several Team Moms whose teams were playing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex get to know some of the facilities and services offered at the Complex better. Also, they held some pretty great giveaways that were special bonuses for the teams.
Fun Team Mom Breakfast Goodies
The first thing that Marybeth introduced us to was the Welcome Center. The Welcome Center is really the heart and soul of the ESPN Wide World of Sports. It is centrally located in the Complex, and is available to help in any way that they can. At the Welcome Center you’ll find Cast Members who are solutions oriented with extensive training in Sports Travel, Guest Relations, and Event Planning. If you have questions about what to do before and after your competition, this is your one stop for purchasing Disney Theme Park Tickets, making Disney Dining Reservations, finding Recreation Options, Golf Reservations, Planning Celebration Events, and Transportation Tips just to name a few.
If you are out on the fields and need information, help is never too far from even the outermost field! Welcome Center Cast Members are always at the fields and for larger events there are mobile stations set-up around the complex.
The Welcome Center is an amazing tool for teams visiting the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex!
There are several dining options at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, but for busy teams on the go there are several ways to make sure that your team is fueled with healthy food that doesn’t take away from their time at the Complex. The first option available is box breakfasts and lunches. These meals are made fresh daily ($6.99 per breakfast and $7.99 per lunch), can be ordered online prior to arrival, are customizable for team members with allergies, and most importantly can be delivered directly to the field where you are playing.
Box lunches being distributed at ESPN Wide World of Sports fields.
We got to have a breakfast box during the Team Mom Breakfast, and it was a good amount of food that was great fuel for the day. However, you can also have pizzas delivered to your field, there are several quick service options, and there is always the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill.
Our Box Breakfast was a great way to start the morning.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill is a quick-service restaurant located near the entrance of the Complex. The Grill is perfect for large groups, and is a high energy environment with six HD displays playing sports and sports news, a full-service bar, and even a replica of the ESPN SportsCenter Desk for fun photo opportunities for your team! My favorite feature is the bank of Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines…but I am a sucker for Cherry Coke!!!
ESPN Wide World of Sports Gameday Photos provides teams with photo solutions that are extremely unique and high quality!
Josh Shortened is one of the Gameday Photographers at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
The Gameday Photos photographers are highly trained to catch just the right moment in your athlete’s game, and are available for individual or team pictures. The best part of the Gameday Photography is that once you purchase the CD of images, which are guaranteed to have at least 150 photos, the rights to those pictures are yours and you can print out and share them as much as you can with friends and family!
If you want to take part in this really personal photography experience, you will want to make arrangements in advance. It is also important to know that the sessions are pre-paid and scheduled by the game, however there are multiple game discounts available. Individual Gameday Photos start at $99 for a single game and Team Gameday Photos start at $169 for a single game.
Events at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex are recorded and broadcasted in several different ways to really make athletes feel like they have really made it to the big leagues!
The dedicated video department at Wide World of Sports is truly a Disney-Sized ESPN with a control room, editing bays, and bustling camera operators. It is truly an amazing thing to see!
Inside the Broadcast Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Parents, coaches, and athletes are able to watch game highlights on a channel 25 in their Walt Disney World Resort hotel room, often games are broadcasted live on ESPN3.com, and highlights are shown on various ESPN platforms such as ESPN.com, ESPN2, and SportsCenter.
Information, live event coverage, and more are featured on screens all over ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Sharing your video highlights with friends and family at home is also easy, because ESPN Wide World of Sports makes some event games available on their YouTube channel and their Facebook Page.
The Custom Tee Center by Champion® is a way to customize your experience at the ESPN Wide World of Sports! After purchasing an event or customizable t-shirt, visit the Custom Tee Center by Champion® to really make the shirt your own. With more than 50 designs available to commemorate your accomplishments, the Center located inside the entrance to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill is a must-do in the Complex!
A visit to the Playstation® Pavilionis a great way to keep the game going! These seventeen PS3™ systems on 40-inch HDTVs are fully stocked with new game titles. The cost to play is $5 per 30 minutes, and is a fun way to wind down from an exciting event.
Business Center coming soon, and will provide access to computers, printers, charging stations, etc, for those busy parents and coaches who want to communicate about their team’s competition through email, websites, social media, and keep up with their careers while on the road.
The Disney Parks Mom’s Panel is a great way to get pre-arrival planning advice from two ESPN Wide World of Sports Specialists. These Mom’s Panel members provide team moms and coaches with tips, advice and direction to make their youth sports travel easier.
The Hess Fields were busy with the Disney Memorial Day Soccer Shootout
I got to speak with Angie Gregg from Hummelstown, PA, whose daughters love Disney and have competed in several soccer tournaments, and even won the Disney’s President Day Festival in February 2012, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports!
Angie’s family loves how they can add extra days on to their team stay to make these tournaments into vacation opportunities for the whole family. She also encourages Team Moms to play a year ahead for their fundraising events to ensure that as many team members as possible can make the journey for this amazing sports opportunity.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports team understands how important Fundraising is to teams, and offers a wide variety of Fundraising Assistance Programs.
The Dream Team Donation Program – Teams are given the opportunity to raffle off a Disney vacation as well as keep 75% of proceeds from raffle ticket sales. Teams also have the opportunity to sell ESPN The Magazine subscriptions and keep 75% of all profits. And a rebate program with Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Alamo Rent A Car which allows a team to earn fundraising dollars by gaining 5% of every rental car purchase through the team’s fundraiser site
Baseball in Champion Stadium are always exciting.
Equipment Drop-off is a really great service that ESPN Wide World of Sports offers! Coaches can drop off their team’s equipment at the front of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and it will be delivered to the team’s field of play.
Little Champions program offers fun games and activities available on-site for younger siblings, freeing parents and coaches up so they can stay focus on the competition.
With so many great Disney Sports Solutions, beautiful grounds, and helpful Cast Members at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex it is easy to see why it is a premier sporting destination that you will definitely want to check out!
Many of us see the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and think of it as the place where we pick up our RunDisney Race Packets or where the Atlanta Braves hold their Spring Training each year, but this often overlooked part of the Walt Disney World Resort plays home to much, much more!
Walking past the globe and up to the gates, you find yourself immersed into a world of sports…no pun intended. But it is really amazing to see so many talented kids and adults in one place playing the games they love!
When you first walk up to the complex, you will notice that there is a large Box Office where you can purchase your tickets for events at the complex. It is important to note that guests, who are not athletes or coaches participating in an event, require paid admission for entrance. General admission prices for Adults (Ages 10+) $16.00 and Children (Ages 3-9) $11.00, and for many events length-of-event admission tickets are available. Also Premium and Special Events may require additional charges. If you are planning on visiting the complex for a specific event, you can go to the ESPN Wide World of Sports site, and search by event for ticket options.
The one thing that totally blew my mind when I visited the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is just how many venues they have for almost any sport imaginable!
The Hess Fields were busy with the Disney Memorial Day Soccer Shootout
The first thing I think of when I think of ESPN Wide World of Sports, is their fields, all 28 of them, that feature surfaces for signature sports. For baseball, there is the Baseball Quadraplex which is home to four professional sized fields and one practice field. Fields 7 and 9 are more versatile grass playing surfaces for soccer. In Diamondplex 10-15 you will find baseball and fastpitch softball fields. While the Hess® Fields 16-30 feature versatile grass playing surfaces for sports including soccer, baseball, field hockey, and lacrosse.
Champion® Stadium is Disney’s Big League Stadium, and is home to the Atlanta Braves Spring Training. This stadium is also used for baseball and fastpitch softball. It is a great stadium! It’s just the right size to make you feel like you are at a big-time game, while still having the fun and intimate feeling that is so unique to MLB Spring Training!
The HP Field House is where you will also find the larger spectator sports.
The HP Field House is a multi-sport facility; they have even laid down ice for ice skating competitions and ice hockey games! But mostly you will find the HP Field House playing host to cheer, basketball, and volleyball competitions.
The Jostens® Center is another multi-sport facility, and where the RunDisney Expo and Race Packet Pick-Up are usually held. The day I visited ESPN Wide World of Sports, it was host to 6 basketball courts for the AAU Basketball Tournament. It is a HUGE facility that is also home to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill and Custom Tee Center by Champion®.
The New Balance Track and Field Complex is a Premier competition and training facility for state, national, and international events. If you ran in the Run Disney Tower of Terror 10-miler, this is where the Haunted Mansion Grave Diggers were waiting for us.
And finally, at the Tennis Complex you will find ten clay courts, including a stadium court! These courts can accommodate anything from a youth clinic to a professional tournament.
If you think that getting around the ESPN Wide World of Sports would be confusing and overwhelming you would be wrong!
With the Welcome Center conveniently located in the heart of the complex, you are never far from help! In the Welcome Center, you will find Cast Members who are extremely knowledgeable about not only the Complex but all of the Walt Disney World Resort. You can do anything from finding event information to purchasing tickets (even for La Nouba) to help scheduling large group reservations and activities. And if you happen to be far away from the Welcome Center, there are several mobile units and Cast Members deployed to fields around the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
ESPN Wide World of Sports also makes use of video displays throughout the complex. There are also four screen hubs, where four large LED monitors show you event highlights, information, weather, and general information about the complex. These hubs are soooo useful, and if you are lucky you might even catch your team featured in the highlights!
Also, for events you will find maps where you least expect to find them…on the ground giving you an easy way to find your field or venue!
If you want to grab a bite to eat, you have a ton of options!
The most fun option is that you can have pizza delivered to your field. Seriously…how cool is that???
You will also find a mobile ESPN Food Truck where you can buy anything from a snack to a beer, and when the Complex is really busy you will even find local food trucks!
Also, inside of the HP® Field House there is an almost mini-food court with several options available.
But if you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle, you may want to visit the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill. You’ll find Burgers, Salads, sandwiches, and even a full service bar to relax in after a fun event. They have coke freestyle machines inside the Grill, which is always a fun bonus!
The full service bar at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill.
There are also three really unique offerings at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
The first is the Custom Tee Center by Champion® where you can customize an event T-shirt with more than 50 designs available to commemorate your accomplishment or you can design your own shirt, like I did! This is a really cool area of ESPN Wide World of Sports, and one that you definitely don’t just want to pass by! I opted to make a shirt that was perfect for training for my upcoming RunDisney races, but there were tons of other shirt styles and designs I could have chosen from. For me, the best part is that the shirts are ready in a snap (mine was ready in about 30 minutes) and if you can’t pick up your shirt until the next day they make sure it stays safe until you can come and get it from the Tee Center.
The second really amazing service offered at ESPN Wide World of Sports is the Gameday Photo Experience. Here you can view your Gameday Photos, create custom photo keepsakes, and take amazing green screen pictures. You can even make posters and fully personalized ESPN The Magazine covers. The quality of these photo products are incredibly high and they are produced with little to no turnaround. It really is perfect for the hectic schedule of sporting events.
Also, you will find the PlayStation Pavilion where athletes between and after games can wind down by playing the ultimate PS3® gaming experience. There is an additional charge to use this area, but it is a great way to bring a team together or celebrate a big win!
As you can see, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is much more than what meets the eye and I can’t wait to share more about teams can make the most of their time at the Complex and how to make sure you don’t miss any great opportunities to visit.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Salutes Military with Waves of Honor Program
Program Provides Free Admission for Military Members and as many as Three Direct Dependents to SeaWorld®, Busch Gardens® Parks and Sesame Place®
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™ is honoring the men and women of the U.S. armed services through its Waves of Honor™ military salute program. The program provides free admission to the SeaWorld® and Busch Gardens® Parks, and Sesame Place® for members of U.S. armed forces and as many as three direct dependents through 2013. Waves of Honor follows Here’s to the Heroes. Created in 2001, the program has awarded more than 6.7 million theme park tickets to service members and their families.
“It has always been our honor to host members of the military and their families at our parks each year,” said Jim Atchison, President and CEO of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Waves of Honor is our way to say ‘thank you’ to these dedicated service men and women who sacrifice so much to preserve the freedom we share in this country.”
Waves of Honor provides one complimentary admission per year to one of the SeaWorld® or Busch Gardens®Parks, Sesame Place®, Adventure Island® ,Water Country USA® or Aquatica® San Diego (weekdays only) for the service member and as many as three of his or her direct dependents.
Army Specialist Eric Espinosa and his daughter Alexis attend a special military tribute at SeaWorld® Orlando’s Shamu® Stadium in August 2012. Espinosa surprised Alexis at the park after serving a year in Afghanistan.
Any active duty military, activated or drilling reservists, or National Guardsman representing any of the five service branches is entitled to one complimentary admission to one of the participating parks under the program. He or she need only register, either online at www.wavesofhonor.com or in the entrance plaza of a participating park, and show a valid active military identification. All dependents 10 and older must present a valid military dependent identification for entry into the park. Dependents may take advantage of the offer without their service member, though an adult must accompany minor dependents.
SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, and SeaWorld San Diego operate year-round. The remaining parks are seasonal. Each park’s operating schedule is available online.
Inactive, standby and retired reserve members, military retirees, U.S. Merchant Marine and civilian Department of Defense workers are ineligible for the program. The program does not include Discovery Cove® in Orlando or Aquatica® Orlando. Rules of eligibility can be found at www.wavesofhonor.com and are subject to change. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment reserves the right to terminate the program.
This Week’s Wordless Wednesday takes us to Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom where fun meets fear as you are just about to drop into the briar patch!
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Enter The World of Springfield Like Never Before At Universal Orlando Resort
This Summer
Woo Hoo! Springfield, hometown to America’s favorite animated family, The Simpsons, comes to life at Universal Orlando Resort this summer.
The expansive, new area within Universal Studios will be anchored by the mega-attraction, The Simpsons Ride, and will allow guests to enter the world of The Simpsons like never before. It will be the only place in the world where guests can walk the streets of Springfield. It will include a brand-new outdoor attraction, places and foods pulled right from the show and two new Simpsons characters who will make their debut with the new area – Krusty the Clown and Sideshow Bob.
And yes – there will be Duff Beer, brewed exclusively for Universal Orlando.
For the first time ever – anywhere – fans will be able to walk down Fast Food Boulevard and visit the places that helped Springfield stake its claim as “Shelbyville by the Sea.” They will be able to grab a Krusty-certified meat sandwich at Krusty Burger, snatch the catch of the day at the Frying Dutchman, get a slice at Luigi’s Pizza, go nuts for donuts at Lard Lad, enjoy a “Taco Fresho” with Bumblebee Man and imbibe at Moe’s Tavern.
The new attraction – called Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl – will take “foolish humans” on an intergalactic spin designed to send them into orbit.
“This will be a must-see experience for Simpsons fans all over the world,” said Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative. “For the first time ever, they’re going to be able to enter a world that they’ve only seen on television – and we’re really excited to bring that world to life.”
“This new expansion will broaden and deepen the already incredible experience at Universal, by bringing to life the iconic landmarks of Springfield that fans have grown to love,” said Jeffrey Godsick, President, Fox Consumer Products. “Fans will literally be able to live and breathe Springfield as they visit the statue of Jebediah, enjoy a Krusty Burger, and have a seat at Moe’s Tavern, which are just a few of the great experiences awaiting at Universal.”
“It has been an honor to bring the world of the Simpsons to life in such a letter-perfect way,” said Denise Sirkot, President, Worldwide Brand, Gracie Films. “Truly this is the Krustyest place on earth.”
All-new adventure allows guests to experience the sights, sounds, thrills, chills and penguins of Antarctica, through the eyes of a special penguin hero named Puck
It’s been 16 long months, but finally the penguins have returned to SeaWorld Orlando!!!!
The new realm of Antarctica is an immersive area of SeaWorld full of beautiful icebergs, a base camp that you wish you could actually visit, food for the pickiest of eaters, merchandise with a heart, and most importantly a first-of-its-kind attraction leading you to a penguin encounter you won’t soon forget!
“We’ve taken our guests and fans on astounding journeys,” says Terry Prather, SeaWorld Orlando’s president. “But no one has ever experienced what we’re bringing to Orlando this year. The first-of-its-kind ride, the cold, the wind, the thrills and danger of Antarctica, coupled with getting up close to penguins in their freezing world is something only SeaWorld can do.”
As soon as you walk into the Antarctica area, you know that you’ve traveled someplace special! There are huge icebergs, mounds of snow, beautiful carvings, and rushing winds that put a chill in the air no matter what the Florida temperature may be!
At the Expedition Café, we are all visitors to Antarctica looking for a meal to warm us up from our frigid environment. In the café, you will find American, Asian, and Italian cuisines featured in a mess hall setting where you are free from queues. There are also hydroponically grown produce and herbs, call ‘freshies’, that are incorporated into your meals. With outside seating available under canvas type sails, and two Quonset-type huts provide seating for guests dining on a mix of cooked-to-order food and quick-serve delights is comfortable.
The outside of Expedition CafeSome of the ‘freshies’ grown…today was basil!
Glacial Collections gift shop is the place to shop for anything and everything a penguin fan could ask for! The retail shop’s color scheme of black, bright yellows, oranges and whites, and the penguin-shaped displays welcome guests to browse the cache of splendid penguin-related items.
My mini-Shelley Cup That Cares!
Glacial Collections is where you can also build your very own Cup That Cares!
Also new at Antarctica are souvenir cups created by SeaWorld and Coca-Cola®. The Cup That CaresTMis a novel reusable cup program with a twist of technology: An RFID (radio frequency identification) chip embedded in each cup interacts with software at Antarctica’sCoca–ColaFreestyle dispensers to calculate CO2 and tell guests how they are being more environmentally responsible by choosing to refill and reuse. And there’s more: SeaWorld will donate $1 from each Cup That Cares purchase to the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens® Conservation Fund, a not-for-profit foundation that helps protect wildlife around the world.
And finally we come to the showpiece of Antarctica… Antarctica Empire of the Penguin!
On board a first-of-its-kind trackless, all-family adventure ride, guests become one with the storyline as they follow Puck’s, a gentoo penguin who is beyond loveable, adventures. Each mobile simulator ride car allows guests to choose one of two levels of exploration – Wild Expedition or Mild Expedition – for various degrees of ride intensity. Designers say each version has multiple variations for a feeling of unpredictability, just like the continent of Antarctica.
“When our little hero penguin learns to waddle and slide, we’ll feel what it’s like as the car moves and reacts to the storyline. When he takes his first swim or barely escapes danger, our guests will feel as if they’re right there with him,” explains Brian Morrow, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment® creative director.
“On this adventure, we learn that we’re a lot like penguins. We’ll find we need each other and our families to survive,” said Morrow.
There’s one more family SeaWorld guests can join at Antarctica … and that’s a huge family of nearly 250 penguins. Stepping off the adventure ride, guests find themselves among a colony of Adelie, gentoo, king and rockhopper penguins in a 30-degree habitat filled with wind, snow, rock and chilly water. It’s what makes Antarctica the coldest theme park attraction in Orlando. New technologies combine to create a freezing – but dry – climate, allowing guests to spend time in the penguins’ amazing world.
Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin also includes educational elements. Kids can “measure up” to all 18 species of penguins carved into the rocks in the plaza. They can engage in kid-height and kid-friendly interactive touch screens and talk with SeaWorld educators to learn more about the importance of community and how penguin colonies work together and rely on each other for survival.
I seriously don’t want to go into too much detail, because I really believe this is one attraction you must really experience to understand it’s true message and beauty.
The official Grand opening of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin will be held today, Friday, May 24th!
There will be an “Ice-cutting” ceremony beginning at 8:45 a.m. and includes a live performance by award-winning country artist Lauren Alaina, the voice of the Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin theme song.
SeaWorld Orlando will also be giving out special Antarctica bracelets for the first 700 fans through the front gate, admission is required. SeaWorld Orlando is also encouraging guests to wear black and white to show their penguin pride
If visiting SeaWorld Orlando was even remotely on your ‘To Visit’ list for your next trip to Orlando, you might want to consider moving it to the ‘Must Do’ list…I promise that you won’t regret it!
This year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will return to Epcot this September 27 – November 11, and while the food is spectacular I always look forward to the Eat to the Beat Concert Series which features some great new additions!
While I am SUPER stoked to see that Big Bad Voodoo Dady, Sugar Ray, and Boyz II Men are still part of the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, I am excited for updated series to take to the festival stage this year!
This year the concert series new comers include the Go-Go’s, Edwin McCain, The Manhattan Transfer, Wilson Phillips, Spin Doctors, and Christopher Cross.
Here is the entire Eat to the Beat Concert Series Schedule!
Sept. 27-29 – Starship starring Mickey Thomas
Sept. 30-Oct. 1 – Go-Go’s
Oct. 2-4 – Air Supply
Oct. 5-6 – Sister Hazel
Oct. 7-9 – Sugar Ray
Oct. 10-11 – Edwin McCain
Oct. 12-13 – Manhattan Transfer
Oct. 14-15 – Wilson Phillips
Oct. 16-17 – The Pointer Sisters
Oct. 18-20 – Night Ranger
Oct. 21-23 – Boyz II Men
Oct. 24-25 – Survivor
Oct. 26-27 – 38 Special
Oct. 28-30 – Smash Mouth
Oct. 31-Nov. 1 – Spin Doctors
Nov. 2-3 – Christopher Cross
Nov. 4-5 – Hanson
Nov. 6-8 – Dennis DeYoung
Nov. 9-11 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
I seriously cannot wait!!!
I hope that we see you at one of these concerts!!!
This week’s Wordless Wednesday takes us to Living With The Land, which has always been one of my favorite attractions at Epcot. There is nothing like floating through these unique growing areas!
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I am ALWAYS on the look out for bargains at Walt Disney World, and Marketplace Fun Finds at the Walt Disney World Downtown Disney Marketplace is a great place to find inexpensive souvenirs and special deals in one store!
Marketplace Fun Finds is located between Disney’s Pin Traders & Little MissMatched and isn’t a new store, but it is one that often get overlooked when people talk or visit the Downtown Disney Marketplace!
Whenever I need a little something, this is always the first place that I check since nothing in the store is over $25.00 which mean less temptation!
There are two really unique things at Marketplace Fun Finds that you won’t find anywhere else.
The first is a grab bag for $11.99 that could have absolutely ANYTHING that you find in the store in a cute little red bag. I am always tempted to pick one of these bad boys up, but I haven’t yet! I need to stop being a chicken!
And then there is my go-to shopping spot for stocking stuffers…the 5 for $20 wall of goodies! On this wall you will find anything! In the past I have found Vinylmations (perfect for trading), purses, Christmas Ornaments, Flip Flops, Hats, and phone cases! On this trip I even found some items from Disney California Adventure’s Carsland.
It is important to know that no discounts apply to the 5 for $20 wall of fun!
What I love is that on this trip I bought over $114 worth of merchandise for $20!
Have you ever been in Marketplace Fun Finds? What did you think?
