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 […]
Christmas Shopping at Downtown Disney: My new holiday tradition
It all started when I got my annual pass for Disney at the beginning of this year. While walking through one of the gift shops, I saw the huge Cinderella Castle play set. Immediately I knew my 7-year old daughters would love it. During every Disney visit this year I would pass by it at […]
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens: A new holiday tradition filled with joy and inspiration
Upon entering Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, I was immediately in awe of the simple beauty of thousands of multicolor lights setting the mood for my holiday experience. As joy filled the air, we made our way to the first attraction. Angels of Peace – A Christmas Journey on Ice is a show […]
A night of fun & charity at the 12 Bars of Christmas Annual Pub Crawl
Friday night marked another year of Orlando Pub Crawl’s 12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl in downtown Orlando, and you know I was in attendance! Check-in was at 8 pm sharp, and my friends and I made sure to be there on time. The great thing about this particular pub crawl was that you could […]
Epcot trip report – December 2012 (new Test Track walkthrough & holiday festivities)
My family and I recently visited Epcot primarily to ride the revamped Test Track and experience the Candlelight Processional. We were very pleased with both experiences in addition to all that Epcot typically has to offer their guests. [wptouch target=”non-mobile”]Remember that you can click any image to view it full-screen. And don’t miss the photo […]
It’s beginning to look a lot like Grinchmas: A family holiday tradition at Universal Orlando
Our family just made our annual Christmas trek to Universal’s Islands of Adventure for the special yearly event of Grinchmas. Once we’ve been here, we KNOW Christmas is not far behind. Seuss Landing is transformed into Whoville for Universal’s holiday festivities, the town featured in the Dr. Seuss’ story How the Grinch Stole Christmas. And […]
Islands of Adventure trip report – December 2012 (Holiday fun, Grinchmas, low crowds)
For this trip report I went to Islands of Adventure to see all the holiday decorations and experience Grinchmas for the first time. I was also interested to notice if any progress was occurring with the construction near the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. From the turnstiles at the park’s entrance, you could easily see […]
Universal Studios Florida trip report – December 2012 (construction updates, holiday festivities and more)
Since I have never visited Universal Orlando Resort during the Holiday season, I truly looked forward to this month’s trip. As I arrived at Universal Studios Florida, I couldn’t help but notice the impressive holiday decorations including the large Macy’s Holiday Parade ornament spanning the Universal Studios’ entrance. Photo opportunities with holiday decorations abound here […]
Experience the magic of the holidays in Celebration with Now Snowing
Now Snowing in downtown Celebration is one of the great events of the season that is prefect for the family — and it is completely free. The snow falls every night through the end of the year at 6, 7, 8, and 9 pm right on Market Street. In addition to the snowfall, there is […]
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, […]
Festival of the Trees: “Once Upon a Time… a Fairy Tale Festival” at the Orlando Museum of Art
Editor’s note: Unfortunately this event has already completed its run for 2012. Nevertheless, we wanted to share this post with you to help raise awareness of Orlando Museum of Art and make sure it gets on your schedule for 2013! Every year, just as the holiday season begins, the Orlando Museum of Art is converted […]
Many holiday traditions return to Winter Park this year, including Central Florida’s longest-running parade
The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to host three holiday events to kick off the season beginning Friday, November 30, and continuing on Saturday, December 1, 2012. The young and young-at-heart can get in the holiday spirit at the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (November 30), Leadership Winter Park Pancake Breakfast (December 1) and […]
The joy of the season at Legoland Florida: Christmas Bricktacular and Kid’s New Year’s Eve
Legoland Florida is getting into the holiday spirit with brick-loads of family-friendly fun with its second annual Christmas Bricktacular and Kid’s New Year’s Eve. Sounds of the season and stunning holiday decorations fill The Beginning and Fun Town with festivities every Saturday and Sunday in December, 10am-5pm. The Beginning is home to a truly Bricktacular […]
SeaWorld Orlando provides “Holiday Splash” to hundreds of Children in Central Florida
More than 1,000 children across Central Florida were invited to a special evening at SeaWorld Orlando last Friday evening to enjoy a ‘first look’ of SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. A number of charitable organization that serve needy, ‘at-risk’ or disadvantaged youth were invited to bring children they help to SeaWorld. I work with Children’s Home Society […]
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration… where the season meets the sea on select dates Nov 17 – Dec 31, 2012
Waves of holiday spirit splash over the park during SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. Carols fill the air, a sparkling sea of trees light up the water and skaters dance on ice. Here in a wintery, watery wonderland, guests can journey to the North Pole on THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience, share a smile with a sea lion, […]
ICE is back with a brand new adventure: “Merry Madagascar” takes over Gaylord Palms Nov 10 – Jan 1 (updated with photos)
Update We were invited to a sneak peak of Gaylord Palms’ ICE! attraction last Friday. After you learn about the attraction, check out our photo huge photo gallery at the bottom. Original post Do you feel that chill in the air? It’s time to bundle up in those cozy winter coats, hats and scarves […]
Universal’s on-site hotels kick off the 2012 holiday season with Thanksgiving Celebrations
The on-site hotels at Universal Orlando — Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort — are featuring a new lineup of Thanksgiving celebrations for 2012. From a new, one-of-a-kind outdoor dinner event with Pilgrims and Native Americans, plus holiday buffets to a tree-lighting luau, beer dinner, and Holiday Harbor Nights, […]
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 […]