2013 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival trip report (includes over 100 images!)
This past weekend I took my mother to the 2013 International Flower & Garden Festival (FGF) at Epcot. This is the festival’s 20th year and … Read more
Transformers characters now appearing daily at Universal Studios Florida – and they are AMAZING
Starting the week of March 4, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee have begun daily appearances for guest meet and greets inside Universal Studios Florida. Although as … Read more
Orlando Informer Weekly Dispatch: March 3 – 10, 2013
OI Universal Center updates: March 3 – 10, 2013 Greetings, vacation planners! Prepare to UPGRADE YOUR ADVENTURE to Universal Orlando with our Weekly Dispatch. This … Read more
Rumor round-up for March 8, 2013: Transformers hiding secrets, Downtown Disney revealing secrets, Universal app starting secrets
The Transformers Supply Vault is open, but is there More Than Meets The Eye to this gift shop? If you followed OrlandoInformer on Twitter this … Read more
Orbitz names Orlando as the nation’s top Spring Break destination for 2013 – are you prepared?
According to the Orbitz, Spring Break travelers should move quickly to finalize plans and take advantage of lower airfares in many major markets, coupled with … Read more
MegaCon returns to Orlando March 15 – 17; Guest list published and continues to grow
MegaCon, the largest comic book, anime, gaming and multimedia event in the South, is pleased to make its initial announcement of guests. MegaCon will take … Read more
Sail the happy seas: My very best tips for your next cruise vacation
My family recently took a cruise with Royal Caribbean on their ship Independence of the Seas out of Ft. Lauderdale. Because I now have a … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Visiting Universal Orlando & Walt Disney World with hidden disabilities
This is our fourth Special Needs Are Universal article. The purpose of this OI Blog series is to answer your theme park disability questions and … Read more
2013 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 6 – May 19 blooms with new features
A blooming bounty of festival firsts will welcome Disney guests to the 20th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival presented by HGTV March 6 – … Read more
Cabana Bay Beach Resort at Universal Orlando: First look at all new details
Today I am very excited to share with you many more details about Universal’s newest on-site hotel, Cabana Bay Beach Resort. For those who have … Read more
Transformers gift shop now open at Universal Studios Florida (includes 48 images & HD video)
Yesterday afternoon we heard several reports online that Supply Vault, the gift shop tucked into a corner of the new Transformers building, was open to … Read more
Orlando Informer Weekly Dispatch: Feb 24 – Mar 2, 2013
OI Universal Center updates: February 24 – March 2, 2013 Welcome, Vacation Heroes, to your weekly dispatch from headquarters. Please note that the updates … Read more
Rumor round-up for March 1, 2013: Springfield gets new residents at Universal, MyMagic+ losing some sparkle, Marvel goes Downtown Disney
Moe & Jebediah moving into Universal’s Springfield expansion The Simpsons expansion is chugging right along, and long time fans of the television show will recognize … Read more
THE BIG 5: Top five snacks at Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2013
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
Magic Kingdom trip report – February 2013 (construction updates, New Fantasyland & Dapper Day)
This past weekend was a fun one for my family. Even with a forecast of rain and my son wanting to stay home, my husband … Read more
Next-NextGen: Visiting the theme park of 2075
Disney’s board of directors formally approved the company’s NextGen initiative in February 2011. With a price tag of roughly $1 billion, the project encompasses several … Read more
Universal Studios Hollywood vs. Universal Studios Florida: An Orlando fan travels to where it all began
Every January for the past nine years we’ve had the tradition of vacationing to Orlando. But this year we stepped away from our usual winter … Read more
Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas: Our cruise trip report with over 100 images
We are avid theme park fans but my family also loves to cruise. Since we are still relatively new to cruising, we like to choose … Read more
Orlando Informer Weekly Dispatch: February 17 – 23, 2013
OI Universal Center updates: February 17 – 23, 2013 Welcome, Vacation Heroes, to your weekly dispatch from headquarters. Please note that the updates are … Read more
Rumor round-up for Feb 22, 2013: King Kong at IOA, Avatarland’s future uncertain, SeaWorld’s new attractions, Transformers’ new gift shop
King Kong & Skull Island, meet Jurassic Park & Islands of adventure Over at Screamscape this week there was a hot rumor that seemed to … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Visiting Universal Orlando with prosthetics
This is our third Special Needs Are Universal article. The purpose of this OI Blog series is to answer your theme park disability questions and … Read more
THE BIG 5: Top five reasons to visit Legoland Florida
Welcome to THE BIG 5, a definitive top five list of various Orlando related, uh, stuff. THE BIG 5 is wide ranging, and runs the … Read more
Orlando Informer Weekly Dispatch: February 10 – 16, 2013
OI Universal Center updates: February 10 – 16, 2013 Welcome, Vacation Heroes, to your weekly dispatch from headquarters. Please note that the updates are … Read more
Rumor round-up for Feb 15, 2013: Universal Orlando builds a bridge, Disney’s ‘True Love Week’ is a trick, Downtown Disney goes out for Mexican
Bridge to nowhere except Universal Orlando This week the Orlando Sentinel published an article explaining how taxpayers are funding the construction a bridge at Universal … Read more
Islands of Adventure trip report – February 2013 (full tour around the park, refurb update and over 50 images)
As guests enter into the Port of Entry in Islands of Adventure (IOA) at Universal Orlando, “The adventure begins” is etched overhead on a stone … Read more
Friday night fiesta at Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar on Restaurant Row
Recently I spent a Friday evening with some friends of mine at Rocco’s Tacos on Sand Lake Road, also known as Orlando’s Restaurant Row. I … Read more
Boating around Walt Disney World: Set sail on the Seven Seas Lagoon and beyond
Many of Orlando’s attractions, resorts, and theme parks offer various fun-filled activities outside of the traditional shows and rides. Nowhere is this more apparent than … Read more
Universal Studios Florida trip report – February 2013 (construction updates & lots of Mardi Gras coverage)
Saturday marked the opening of the Mardi Gras festivities at Universal Studios Florida. The celebratory feel started right away as I approached the entrance of … Read more
Giordano’s Pizza: The search for Orlando’s best pie ends here
When I was on my first trip to Orlando, I recall begging my mother for pizza. We did the traditional asking around, and we happily … Read more
Inside Mardi Gras 2013 at Universal Orlando: Media event recap & photo gallery
If you’ve ever been to Universal Studios Florida theme park you’ve seen it, walked by it, wondered what it was, etc. I’m talking about the … Read more
Orlando Informer Weekly Dispatch: February 3 – 9, 2013
OI Universal Center updates: February 3 – 9, 2013 Welcome, Vacation Heroes, to your weekly dispatch from headquarters. Please note that the updates are … Read more
Rumor round-up for Feb 8, 2013: Harry Potter gets free ice cream, Oz pushes Wicked into the limelight, TNA’s departure opens the door for WWE
Another day, another Harry Potter expansion rumor Thanks to the boys over on the forum at OrlandoUnited.com, we’ve got a couple juicy rumors about a … Read more
Orlando Chili Cook-off: Taste the spice, cheer on competitive eating & raise money for Special Olympics Florida
On Saturday February 9, “The City Beautiful” will host the 4th Annual Orlando Chili Cook-off, produced by Events for Change, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that … Read more
Orlando’s parks warm up for spring 2013: SeaWorld’s Bands, Brew & BBQ, Universal’s Mardi Gras, Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival
Spring is definitely in the air as Orlando’s theme parks prepare for their first major events of 2013… Bands, Brew & BBQ 2013 at … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Visiting Disney World with two Autistic boys – can we still use the accelerated entrances even if the boys aren’t riding?
This is our second Special Needs Are Universal article, which we have designed to answer your questions and address your concerns about theme park disability … Read more
The soundtrack to your adventure: Listen to Universal’s Islands of Adventure music right now
Anyone who has ever been to Universal Orlando Resort knows the magical feeling of walking in the front turnstiles. The feeling is nearly unexplainable; your … Read more
Decade of Kissimmee Memories: Win 10 one-week trips in the biggest vacation sweepstakes we’ve ever heard of
For one Grand Prize winner, the chance to discover a Decade of Kissimmee Memories with ten vacations to Central Florida’s premier vacation destination now awaits … Read more
Orlando Informer Weekly Dispatch: Jan 26 – Feb 2, 2013
OI Universal Center updates: Jan 26 – Feb 2, 2013 Welcome, Vacation Heroes, to your weekly dispatch from headquarters. Please note that the updates … Read more
Rumor round-up for Feb 1, 2013: Middle Earth, Sundance Films, Six Flags & SeaWorld, MyMagic+, Downtown Disney
The latest on Middle Earth coming to Orlando Rumors were ablaze this week with many people more convinced than ever that JRR Tolkien’s Lord of … Read more
Three great events coming up at Universal’s on-site hotels – and we’re giving away tickets to two of them!
Velvet Sessions with Ed Roland Are you looking for our just announced Hard Rock Hotel Velvet Sessions giveaway featuring Ed Roland? If so, please click … Read more
Disney’s Hollywood Studios trip report – January 2013 (MyMagic+ construction, ride recaps & new photo ops)
For this trip report my family and I visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS). This is my son’s favorite park at Walt Disney World. We were … Read more
New report: Orlando International Airport ranked best airport for kids
An article published on CNN.com yesterday reported that Orlando’s International Airport ranked as the top selection for families traveling with kids. Traveling with a child? … Read more
Islands of Adventure trip report – January 2013 (new WWoHP live performance stage, possible lagoon show prep & more)
Over the long Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend my family and I visited Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando. Crowds were heavy on Sunday, … Read more
Rumor round-up for Jan 4, 2013: Middle Earth in Orlando and Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley
Middle Earth in the middle of Universal Orlando Back in August our column introduced the possibility of an island at Universal’s Islands of Adventure dedicated … Read more
Public Service Announcement: This is how you walk through a crowded theme park
As a theme park family, we have been to both Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World during some of the busiest times of the year. … Read more
Rebuilding Islands of Adventure: A look at 2013 and beyond
In the not too distant future, Universal Studios Florida will, for the first time in the resort’s decade-and-a-half history, have pulled ahead of its sister … Read more
Rebuilding Universal Studios Florida: A look at 2013 and beyond
To say that Universal Studios Florida has been busy this past year is something of a profound understatement. In addition to opening Despicable Me: Minion … Read more
Top 10 new experiences coming to Orlando in 2013 – part two
Welcome to part 2 of my top 10 new experiences opening up here in Orlando in 2013. If you didn’t get a chance to read … Read more
Top 10 new experiences coming to Orlando in 2013 – part one
With Disney holding the grand opening for its New Fantasyland on December 6, as well as opening other completed projects on this date (Test Track, … Read more
Orlando Informer 2012 year in review
As 2012 draws to a close, I thought it would be fun to spend a few moments looking back at all that has come to … Read more