Design and test your own concept car in the reimagined Test Track at Epcot opening this fall
Who can say they were entirely surprised when they first heard the news of Test Track being closed for a complete refurbishment? Not me; after … Read more
An Old Town Halloween 2012: Enjoy this free & frightening event on select nights in October
Old Town will host their 2nd annual “an Old Town Halloween” multi-day event for this season. Zombies, Ghosts, and Florida Ghost Busters will inhabit the … Read more
New Vegan Marketplace, ‘Florida Local’ flavors, Chocolate Experience at the 2012 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept 28 – Nov 12
For a record 46 days beginning Sept. 28, Disney guests can taste their way around the world during the 17th annual Epcot International Food & … Read more
Halloween Horror Nights 2012 starts this Friday!
Update 9/18/12 Many of you already know that this spring Universal launched an all-new nighttime lagoon show called Cinematic Spectacular. The show combines famous movie … Read more
Rumor round-up for Sept 14, 2012: WWoHP expansion, Epcot Lagoon, Avatar, Pirates at Legoland
We’ll need to see your wand as identification… Visitors to Universal Studios Florida are seeing a lot of construction, all of it moving at a … Read more
20 years of changes at Universal Orlando: A pictorial history – part one
The first time we visited Universal Studios Florida was in 1992. Our daughter was 10 and so little for her age but she was tall … Read more
Fall events at Universal: PINKTOBER featuring Bret Michaels at Hard Rock Hotel & Harbor Nights at Portofino Bay Hotel
PINKTOBER at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando adds a pop of PINK this October in honor of the brand’s 13th … Read more
Stepping back in time for Dapper Day at Walt Disney World
My grandmother approached me with a newspaper article circled twice in pen, “You better read this – I think you’ll like it!” The small article … Read more
Leave Orlando and visit the world of odd at Ripley’s Believe It or Not
As you approach Ripley’s Believe It or Not on International Drive, you will realize something doesn’t look quite right… Indeed, the building appears to be … Read more
Rumor round-up for Sept 7, 2012: Streetmosphere, Tinker Bell & Periwinkle, USF character dining
More ‘streetmosphere’ characters coming to Universal and Disney One thing that both Universal and Disney seem to believe will help the parks is the addition … Read more
Disney’s Hollywood Studios trip report – September 2012 (Pirates, Muppets, merchandise & menu changes)
A few changes have been made since my last visit to the park. Fall is definitely in the air. Well, the thermometer may actually indicate … Read more
Family suites at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort: Better than expected… even the sofa bed!
When I made plans to spend a long weekend with my friend at Walt Disney World over the 4th of July weekend, we decided to … Read more
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream at Hollywood Studios: The very essence of the Disney spirit on display
As a Disney Passholder, I thought I had seen everything that Disney’s Hollywood Studios has to offer. Boy was I wrong… and surprised! I recently … Read more
Universal Studios Florida & Islands of Adventure: Finding fun and inspiration
On a recent visit to Universal Orlando, we arrived mid morning at Universal Studios Florida and went straight to the newest attraction — Despicable Me. … Read more
From the Tunnel of Love to the Forbidden Journey: The past and future of dark rides
Dark rides originated in the late 19th century, at a time when amusement parks were sprouting up all over the country to allow Americans, who … Read more
Queuing up the next generation: An examination of theme-park attraction lines
It goes without saying that the most critical aspect of a theme-park ride is the ride itself, but there are, of course, other elements that … Read more
Hearts of Reality event in Celebration July 26 – 29 offers the opportunity to mingle with over 80 reality TV stars
Get ready for a weekend full of TV’s hottest reality stars from shows such as Survivor, Big Brother, Ghost Hunters, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, The … Read more
From the black lagoon: Weekly rumor round-up for Orlando’s theme parks
The rumor mill grew three sizes that day… Even for the biggest Disney diehard, it’s hard to deny the success Islands of Adventure has had … Read more
THE BIG 5: Top five Universal Orlando items found on eBay
Welcome to THE BIG 5, a definitive top five list of various Orlando related, uh, stuff. THE BIG 5 is wide ranging, and will run … Read more
Orlando wears its sunglasses at night! My first experience at “Crazy 80s” pub crawl in downtown Orlando
It was a night that NO ONE should ever miss! On Saturday, July 14, I attended the annual “Crazy 80s” pub crawl in downtown Orlando … Read more
Celebrating a special birthday across Orlando: Typhoon Lagoon, Universal CityWalk & Universal Studios Florida
My teenaged son’s birthday was a few days ago and since Orlando’s theme parks are his favorite place to be, my husband scheduled a vacation … Read more
From the black lagoon: Weekly rumor round-up for Orlando’s theme parks
The AllSpark Coming to Orlando The blood hounds are on the scent, and the trail is leading straight to Transformers: The Ride making it’s way … Read more
Drive into the movies at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Cars wing
It’s safe to say that Disney has the ability to make you feel transported to different worlds at their theme parks as well as their … Read more
THE BIG 5: Five more things you didn’t know you could do at Universal Orlando
Welcome to THE BIG 5, a definitive top five list of various Orlando related, uh, stuff. THE BIG 5 is wide ranging, and will run … Read more
Construction at Universal Orlando: A complete summer 2012 update
There has been so much construction going on at Universal Orlando that I want to help our readers by explaining everything in one post. There … Read more
Experience Disney magic with an enchanting phone call to Epcot’s UK Pavilion
If you’ve visited Epcot you’ve probably noticed the candy apple red phone booths that are located in the UK Pavilion. You may have even posed … Read more
Magic Kingdom update: The Fantasyland expansion continues
Casey Jr. has come to town, and the Dumbo rides are now dueling with Timothy Q. Mouse watching over in Storybook Circus, part of the … Read more
Discover the undiscovered at Walt Disney World: 17 experiences you didn’t know about
High-flying elephants and spinning teacups usually take center stage when a guest is thinking of Walt Disney World. But did you know that 9-pound lemons … Read more
Animal encounters at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens in Tampa has an amazing line up of roller coasters and thrill rides, but they also have an incredible array of different species … Read more
Disney’s Polynesian Resort: Tropical escape and Disney vacation rolled into one
As you enter the grounds of Disney’s Polynesian Resort, you notice that you are close enough to the Magic Kingdom to have a monorail stop … Read more
Freshwater Oasis is now open at Discovery Cove in Orlando
Now open at Discovery Cove in Orlando is Freshwater Oasis, an all-new attraction featuring wading adventures and face-to-face encounters with playful otters and curious marmosets. … Read more
Dinner at Hard Rock Hotel’s The Kitchen: Good food, great service & open late
For the extreme park-goers like myself, it is hard to leave the park before closing. Unfortunately, there are only so many places you can go … Read more
The experience at Universal Orlando’s Hard Rock Hotel
Many places give you the experience of feeling like a rock star, but few let you live like one. The Hard Rock Hotel at Universal … Read more
Early Park Admission for Universal Studios Florida now available to on-site resort guests
It would seem that the opening of Despicable Me Minion Mayhem at Universal Studios Florida has brought us plenty of good fortune. Not only do … Read more
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort opens, including second phase: Cars Wing (the next best thing to DCA’s Cars Land)
The big blue world of Nemo and friends comes to life just in time for the summer vacation season as Disney’s Art of Animation Resort … Read more
Tijuana Flats: Come for the fresh mex, stay for the churros
Tijuana Flats opened its first location in Winter Park, Florida in 1995 by a young gentleman named Brian. The concept now has over 79 restaurants … Read more
Aquatica introduces new Weekday Pass for just $59
Aquatica, a one-of-a-kind waterpark that immerses guests in the playfulness of the sea, introduces a new Weekday Pass that allows guests to enjoy unlimited weekday … Read more
Hard Rock Hotel’s Velvet Sessions with the John Oates Band set for Thursday, June 28
WHAT: Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando’s Velvet Sessions lobby concert series continues in June with the John Oates Band performing hits “Kiss On My … Read more
What to pack for your Orlando vacation
Besides making all of your travel plans, you’ll need to decide what you want to bring along with you. Changes of clothing of course, but … Read more
Epcot’s Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar: The perfect place to sample Italian cuisine
At the beginning of May, my wife and I were fortunate enough to visit Epcot’s newest dining option – Tutto Gusto, in the Italy Pavilion. … Read more
Busch Gardens Tampa: How to ride every major ride and see every animal in one day
I recently spent a visit at Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL. I visit the Orlando parks on a weekly basis, but since moving to Orlando … Read more
Drinking at Walt Disney World: It can cost a small fortune, but it does not have to
Drinking at Walt Disney World can be expensive, but there are a few ways to minimize the damage to your wallet. Here’s some tips for … Read more
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain at Downtown Disney: A sweet spot for an afternoon treat
A few times a year, my retired parents visit us from Atlanta for a few weeks. Our plans during their visit always include going to … Read more
Themed attractions at Islands of Adventure – how do they live up to the source material?
A large majority of the attractions at Islands of Adventure, one of the two theme parks at Universal Orlando, is based on popular movies or … Read more
Orlando becomes first U.S. destination to top 55 million visitors!
It was another record-breaking year for Orlando with final 2011 visitation numbers revealing that Orlando welcomed 55.1 million visitors, up 7.2% from last year’s record … Read more
An international traveler’s guide to Orlando International Airport – the arrival
Worried about working your way round the labyrinth that is Orlando International Airport? Well, listen up as your international guide ushers you though the arrival … Read more
TurtleTrek at SeaWorld: A one-of-a-kind 3D adventure (updated with over 60 images and HD video)
Earlier this week we were lucky enough to get a sneak peek at SeaWorld Orlando’s new TurtleTrek attraction during a soft opening. The attraction officially … Read more
SeaWorld: “Encounter” sharks in a new way
Two weeks ago, SeaWorld Orlando quietly unveiled a partial rehab of its Shark Encounter, an attraction that allows guests to walk through aquariums full of … Read more
The Pub at Pointe Orlando – a review
We decided last weekend instead of going to the Mardi Gras concert at Universal Orlando, which we go to quite a bit, we would try … Read more
THE BIG 5: Top five reading material about theme parks
Welcome to THE BIG 5, a definitive top five list of various Orlando related, uh, stuff. THE BIG 5 is wide ranging, and will run … Read more
