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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LEGOLAND Florida Rolls Out VIP Experience

LEGOLAND Florida

LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park

Officially Rolls Out VIP Experience

LEGOLAND® Florida today announced final plans for the LEGOLAND Florida VIP Experience, and the LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND Water Park combo VIP Experience. The private guided tour experiences include park admission, a personal guide, lunch, refreshments, an exclusive LEGO Model Shop tour and a special build experience with a Master Model Builder. A seasonal special events package add-on is also available. The announcement comes after the successful conclusion of its pilot program, which began testing in March.

As part of the experience, guests also receive priority entrance to rides and attractions, a photography package, a special gift bag with LEGO product, and learn behind the scenes fun facts about LEGOLAND Florida. The theme park and water park combo experience includes a private cabana and a souvenir towel in addition to the theme park perks.

“The official roll out of the LEGOLAND Florida VIP Experience is a very exciting time for the park and for our guests,” Said Phil Royle, Product Excellence Manager. As with all products, we constantly test and adjust to ensure we’re providing the absolute best experience for our guests. This is a prime example of how we took time with a pilot program and shaped it to the best it could be.”

See full details of LEGOLAND Florida VIP Experience and LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND Water Park VIP Experience below:

LEGOLAND Florida

LEGOLAND Florida VIP Experience

  • Single day admission to LEGOLAND Florida and VIP parking
  • Private VIP host for group
  • Exclusive tour of ‘secret’ Model Shop and building experience with a Master Model Builder
  • Front of the line priority access to rides and attractions
  • Behind the scenes fun facts on LEGO models and LEGOLAND Florida
  • Locker usage
  • LEGOLAND Florida gift bag
  • Lunch with reserved seating and refreshments
  • Souvenir photograph
  • A digital photograph package for the day

Prices start from $445 per child & $495 per adult

LEGOLAND Florida

LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND Water Park VIP Experience
Everything in the LEGOLAND Florida VIP Experience, plus;

  • Single-day admission to LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND Water Park and VIP parking
  • Private cabana in LEGOLAND Water Park with full service
  • Refreshments
  • Beach towels
  • Souvenir Photograph
  • Locker usage

Prices start from $545 per child & $595 per adult

LEGOLAND Florida

LEGOLAND Florida Special Events VIP Experience
A VIP Experience is also available during LEGOLAND Florida Special Events such as Red, Brick & Boom, Christmas Bricktacular and Kid’s New Years’ Eve

  • VIP picnic for special events
  • VIP host
  • Prime viewing location for special event fireworks

Prices vary per event

For more information or to make a reservation for a LEGOLAND Florida VIP Experience, call (855) 753-7777.

Guests outside of the U.S. can make a reservation by calling +1 855 753 7777.

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The Week in Review: August 13- – August 17, 2012: Sports, Icebergs, and Wild Adventures!

The Week in Review: August 13- – August 17, 2012: Sports, Icebergs, and Wild Adventures!

It has been another amazing week here at On the Go, and now it’s time to look back at all that happened August 13th to August 17th!!!

Let’s Go!

On Monday we took a look some local sports teams. First, the Orlando Solar Bears signed three new team members. And at the Orlando City Soccer Club, Kevin Molino was named to the Trinidad team for Canada Friendly.

Cheering for the Orlando City Soccer Club!!!

Aurora and I ventured out to Titanic: The Experience, and she shares her thoughts on a Visit to the Titanic.

Thelma and Louise on the Grand Staircase in Titanic the Experience

For Wordless Wednesday, we took a look through the trees at Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

We took a look at LEGOLAND Florida’s STEM Focused, Interactive Programs for kids.

LEGOLAND Florida provides interactive entertainment for families with children ages 2-12 .

Betsy makes her way out west to Disneyland, and shares part one of her Trip Report in her California Adventure!

Betsy in front of the Disneyland train station

Friday, Megan took us along on her Wild Africa Trek! She has some great photos and information about this really up-close Safari Experience!

Megan on the Wild Africa Trek

Thanks for joining us this week at On the Go, and we can’t wait to bring you even more posts next week!!!

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An afternoon at Kidani Village

The other day I found myself with a few extra hours before I was supposed to meet up with friends for dinner and decided to go exploring. Not actual exploring, like at the polar ice caps or anything (for anyone who knows me, I don’t do cold), but one of my favorite types of exploring: at Disney resorts. After some brief investigative work a few weeks ago, I made a list of some lesser known activities around the parks and resorts that I’d like to highlight here or at least try out for myself. So, back to the other day, I chose to spend a few hours at the Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village.

This resort opened back in May of 2009 and I had my first stay there several months later. One of my favorite things about the resort, aside from the animals, of course, is their restaurant Sanaa. The food has always been great, featuring flavors of African and Indian influence in a setting that has, in my opinion, one of the best views to be found from a restaurant anywhere on Walt Disney World property. When I learned that there was a free Cultural Tour of Sanaa, I knew I wanted to learn more about one of my go to restaurants. On the activities guide at the Animal Kingdom Villas, the description is listed as “Discover the inspiration behind this unique location through the eyes of one of our Cultural Representatives.” Based on this, I was expecting something similar to the Cultural Safari that takes place at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in Jambo House in the evenings.

Seeing that the tour was scheduled for 4pm, I opted to get to the resort with plenty of time to see the animals on the savanna before I needed to check in at the restaurant’s podium. I started my adventure in the library at Kidani Village, which is probably my second favorite rooms at a resort in which to relax. After a short while I went downstairs to Sanaa to make sure that they knew I was there for the tour. Sometimes these tours are not very well known, to the point where not many guests show up, so it is best to announce your presence if you don’t see any other people around, which was the case this time.

My host, Vincent, was from Botswana and kindly gave me a private tour, which was really cool since it was more like us just hanging out and having a conversation as opposed to a typical lecture style tour. We started at the entrance to the restaurant where he explained that the word Sanaa means “works of art” in Swahili. The restaurant is decorated accordingly with various works of art from tribal drums from different African nations, to gourds used as drinking vessels, coffee pots, clothing, light fixtures and wall hangings.

During the tour, Vincent explained how the restaurant was setup into areas reminiscent of the boma, roughly translated to a hearth or safe area for gathering. There is usually a boma found in each home, and then also a larger boma in the village for everyone to gather together. After pointing out a couple of hidden Mickeys, in the restaurant, one of which I’d never noticed, Vincent led me to the lounge area of the bar. He advised me that the chef would be coming out to greet me with the bread service that is typically on the menu as an appetizer. This was an added bonus that I wasn’t aware of previously: free food!!!

Chef Johnathan came out and described the process the restaurant used for making the bread in the tandoor oven and how they only use fresh herbs and spices and grind them there at Sanaa to ensure consistency. The bread service consists of several pieces of naan and three dipping sauces: a coriander (more commonly known here as cilantro) chutney, a mango chutney, and a cucumber raita. While I’m not a fan of cucumber at all, unless it is in the pickled form, I decided to be an adult and try what was served to me. The sauce was creamy, being yogurt based, with only a hint of cucumber if you didn’t actually eat the chunks of cucumber mixed in, which I didn’t. The mango chutney was typical, but with some peppers mixed in and it was a bit more liquid than what I’m used to. My favorite of the sauces was definitely the coriander chutney, which by taste, is very similar to a sauce that I make based on a recipe that used to be used at Jiko. I love cilantro, but if you are not fond of it, you may want to skip this one. I enjoyed this so much I went back and asked for and received a copy of the recipe to take home.

The tour and tasting took me about half an hour, which was just about perfect since I had the place to myself. I would gladly take this tour again, especially now knowing that there is a snack at the end. It was a great way to spend a part of my afternoon and think it would be fun with a group of friends maybe even ending the tour at the bar with an adult beverage. If you go, say hi to the bartender Kat. Have you been to Sanaa? Did you take the tour? Have you taken any other tours? I’d love to hear your feedback.

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