My family and I visited Universal Studios Florida (USF) and Islands of Adventure (IOA) yesterday, the Sunday after Christmas. Knowing this time of the year is the busiest for area theme parks, I was very curious how crowded the parks would be and how long the wait times would be for all the attractions, with […]
Beyond the parks: Nine new ideas for celebrating New Year’s Eve in Orlando
From Universal Orlando’s legendary CityWalk celebration to the excitement and magic in Disney’s theme parks, there is no shortage of memorable ways to ring in the New Year here in Orlando. But don’t think the theme parks are the only happenin’ hot spots when midnight rolls around on December 31 — there’s so much more […]
Busch Gardens Tampa trip report – December 2013 (Christmas Town special event, Falcon’s Fury update)
Amidst all the shopping and preparing for Christmas, I chose to add a new tradition to the mix this year: Busch Gardens Christmas Town. Since it’s a separately ticketed, after-regular-park-hours event, before spending the money to take the whole family I went by myself to see if the event was all it was hyped up to […]
Islands of Adventure trip report – December 2013 (Grinchmas, Wholiday Spectacular, Seuss Trolley + CityWalk updates)
I visited Islands of Adventure (IOA) this past weekend for the opening of the 2013 holiday season, and as always, I truly enjoyed this thrilling and entertaining park. But before we talk about IOA, let’s check out a few things happening outside of the parks. Parking rotunda & CityWalk As I entered the rotunda […]
Universal Studios Florida trip report – December 2013 (construction updates, The Mummy, Macy’s Holiday Parade & Mannheim Steamroller)
Last Saturday I visited Universal Studios Florida (USF) for the opening of their 2013 holiday season, and I had a very enjoyable time. The Christmas season is my favorite time of year to visit Orlando’s theme parks, and USF didn’t disappoint. [wptouch target=”non-mobile”]Remember, you can click any image to view it full-screen. And don’t miss […]
Epcot’s Candlelight Processional: An enchanting holiday event that fills our spirit with classic Christmas cheer
I admit, I’m one of those potentially annoying people who loves Christmas. This isn’t to say that I don’t eagerly await July 4th or St. Patrick’s Day with equal enthusiasm (because I totally do!), but, ya know, there’s just something special about Christmas. I love how it rolls in with Kris Kringle and The Macy’s […]
From Disney World to Winter Park – an insider’s guide to the best holiday activities Orlando has to offer
As a native of Orlando, I have had the pleasure of making memories year after year in one of the world’s best holiday destinations. It is with these memories in mind that I have put together a full list of my absolute favorite seasonal festivities and traditions all around Orlando. Each is highly recommended, and […]
ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman: A classic Christmas tale becomes Orlando’s most unique (and coldest!) holiday event
ICE! 2013 featuring Frosty the Snowman opened November 23 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee. I was invited by Orlando Informer to attend the media premier, and I’m excited to tell you about my first-ever tour of ICE! Before previewing ICE!, we were directed to the Emerald Plaza area of the […]
LEGOLAND Florida announces Christmas Bricktacular holiday activities, Kids’ New Year’s Eve & a new hotel opening in 2015
Celebrate the holidays and New Year’s Eve at LEGOLAND Florida LEGOLAND Florida celebrates the holidays with Christmas Bricktacular, Countdown to Kids’ New Year’s Eve and Kids’ News Year’s Eve Bash. Christmas Bricktacular festivities take place every Saturday and Sunday in December. Christmas Bricktacular activities Include: LEGO Santa Model: For the first time at LEGOLAND Florida, […]
SeaWorld celebrates the 2013 Christmas season, launches new AnimalVision experience & reveals Aquatica’s new thrill slide: Ihu’s Breakaway Falls
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration: Where the season meets the sea Select dates Nov 23 – Dec 31 Waves of holiday spirit splash over the park during SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. Here in a wintery, watery wonderland, guests of all ages will enjoy loads of frosty fun as they watch stunning live shows inspired by the natural world, […]
Universal Studios Florida trip report – November 2013 (Hogwarts Express in full view, holiday decorations & Chief Wiggum’s Patrol Car)
It was a beautiful fall day at Universal Studios Florida when my family and I recently visited. Temperatures were in the low 80’s with a lot of Florida sunshine, and we had an enjoyable day. As I approached the entrance gates, I immediately noticed the absence of the Halloween Horror Nights décor. As a result, […]
Disney World debuts Glow with the Show interactive Mickey Ear hats; first look at the 2013 Disney holiday festivities
Glow with the Show interactive Mickey Ear hats Guests of the Walt Disney World will light the night thanks to new Glow with the Show Ear hats that magically change colors in sync with fireworks, shows, and each other at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Fun, interactive light-up versions of the famous Mickey Ear […]
Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights offers a final toast of holiday cheer through January 6
It was three days before Christmas and I still had baking to do, gift making and wrapping to finish, and the lights on the front of the house kept blinking out. But what are the holidays if not busy, so I forgot about everything and my family headed out to Disney Hollywood Studios to see […]
Universal Orlando holiday decorations 2012 – a photo tour
It is that time of year again at Universal Orlando — time for Mannheim Steamroller, time for the Macy’s Holiday Parade, and time for Grinchmas! We were at the parks Thursday, and the holiday decorations are out as Universal prepares to usher in the season of joy. All that’s missing now are the big events, […]
The 2012 holiday season at Walt Disney World promises festive traditions & seasonal spectacles
Disney elves blend yuletide traditions and Christmas cheer to create a wintry wonderland ready for holiday revelers at Walt Disney World as early as November 9. There’s an extra night of merry at the Magic Kingdom with 20 nights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party; and at Epcot, singer/actress Olivia Newton John makes her debut […]