Things to see and do on your Florida Vacation

Things to do in Florida

People from all over the globe enjoy great Florida vacations. The Sunshine State has just about anything you’d want in a warm vacation spot. Visitors to Florida can enjoy famous theme parks, world-class shopping, awesome seafood, exciting shows, and the pulse of vibrant nightlife.

Of course, Florida is also rich in history and wildlife, including many historic sites and eco tours into swamps, maritime forests, and the Everglades. The main attraction of Florida holidays however, is its beautiful water and beaches, and every beach town or city has its own unique charm. For example, on the Panhandle, you’ll find quiet family beaches like Mexico Beach, St. Joe Beach, and Cape San Blas.

Further west are Panama City, Destin, and Pensacola, with tons of things to do and see. Tampa has all the amenities of a big city, with the added bonus of nearby beaches. South of Tampa, visitors can enjoy the calm, blue-green waters of Anna Maria Island, Naples, Ft. Myers, and Marco Island, along with the fascinating history of the Greek sponge docks of Tarpon Springs.

On the Atlantic, you’ll find Amelia Island, a sleepy shrimping town that’s become a popular destination for Florida holidays. South of Amelia Island is Jacksonville, with miles of beach and lots of attractions. If you prefer stepping back in time, visit St. Augustine. Daytona has wide beaches and great surfing. Ft. Lauderdale, the original scene of the spring break tradition, shouldn’t be overlooked, either.

Miami and Miami Beach are in a class all their own. With its international culture, it’s almost like visiting a foreign city. And then there are the keys, a long chain of islands that served as the home of poets, novelists, and scallywags.

Even if the beach isn’t “your thing,” Florida is still a wonderful destination. In the interior are the rolling green hills of horse farms and citrus groves, thriving metropolitan areas, and huge lakes that provide amazing fishing and boating opportunities. :)


Biggest Disney store, World of Disney at Disney’s downtown marketplace

The biggest Disney store, World of Disney at downtown Disney marketplace

If you ever wondered what and where the biggest Walt Disney World store is, it’s The World of Disney store, located in the downtown Disney marketplace at the Walt Disney World resort in Florida.

The downtown Disney marketplace has many other Disney stores, but none compare to the 50,000 square foot World of Disney store, both in size and sales. Inside this store you can find just about everything Disney.

From plush Mickey Mouse dolls, Princess dresses, Disney key chains, Disney snow globes and more you can find it here. Every Disney character in some form can be found inside.
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Disney cruise ship Fantasy stage shows revealed

Stage shows for the new Disney Fantasy cruise ship

Disney has given us a tiny peek at what stage shows they will be having aboard their new Disney cruise ship, the Disney Fantasy.

Disney has been famous for a lot of things – movies, theme parks, unforgettable characters, and cartoons. Beginning in 1995, a new dimension was added with the Disney Cruise Line.

The first Disney ship, Disney Magic, made its maiden voyage in 1998. The second ship, Disney Wonder, first sailed in 1999. A third ship, Disney Dream, began operating in 2011. Disney cruises have become so popular that starting in 2012, a new Disney ship will be setting sail.
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Walt Disney World marathon weekend January 5th-8th 2012

Walt Disney World marathon weekend 2012

If you’re a runner, few things are more exciting to you than competing in a marathon. Even better – what if the course runs through the magical world of Disney? If you sign up for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, you can enjoy this unique experience, along with other great events.

During the weekend of January 5th through the 8th 2012, Walt Disney World in Orlando, along with CIGNA, will be hosting four days of competitions and festivities to appeal to runners and their families.

Events include a marathon, a marathon relay, and a 13.1-mile half-marathon. If you’re up to the challenge, check out Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, where participants complete the 13.1-mile course on Saturday, and then run the full marathon on Sunday – 39.3 miles in all.

The kids won’t be left out of the fun. If they’re under the age of 14, they can join in the Kids’ Dashes or in the Mickey Mile – there’s something for every age! Babies 12 months and younger can compete in the Diaper Dash, and toddlers from one to three years can enter the 100-meter dash.

The 200-meter dash is for kids ages four to six, and the seven and eight-year-olds can run the 400-meter dash. On Friday, any child 13 or under can enter the Mickey Mile event. All participants will receive official tees, goody bags, a special medallion, refreshments, and more.

As a great way to kick off your Marathon Weekend, purchase tickets for Pasta in the Park. This event will be held on Thursday evening, at Epcot’s World ShowPlace Pavilion.

Included will be a buffet dinner with green salad, potato salad, roasted chicken, pasta dishes, bread, fruit, and dessert. Along with the meal, guests can enjoy Disney characters, fireworks, a laser show, and music.

So come out to the Walt Disney World marathon weekend January 5th to 8th 2012. To enter or find out more visit the Disney marathon home page for lots more details. See you there! :)

Disney’s festival of the masters art show 2011 picture gallery

Disney's festival of the masters art show 2011

Hi everyone, I hope you got to go to this years Disney’s festival of the masters art show 2011 at downtown Disney and the west side. I went Friday, beautiful day and not too crowded.

I got to see many of the same artist that I saw last year, but there was plenty of new ones too. I was a bit hesitant to take pictures this year because a lot of artist don’t want pictures taken of their work.

That’s because many competitors try to copy others work. Or if you have paintings, some people take good quality pictures of them and turn around and sell them online, ouch!
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Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Day events, Thanksgiving dinner restaurants 2011

Walt Disney World Thanksgiving day events and places for Thanksgiving dinners 2011

Once again it’s almost Thanksgiving day! Many people ask what is going on at Walt Disney World during Thanksgiving day, November 24th. To be honest there really is nothing special that takes place at Disney on that day.

Contrary to what some have heard there is NO special Thanksgiving day parade at any of the Disney theme parks. There may be one over at Disneyland in California, but not here in Orlando.

Of course Thanksgiving day does fall right in the middle of the Holiday season. In the past Disney would put up all the Christmas decorations the night after Thanksgiving day, or the weekend following it.
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Walt Disney World New Year’s Eve fireworks, events for 2011 / 2012

Walt Disney World New Years Eve fireworks and events for 2011/2012

Picture credits to talke-photography

Walt Disney World has finally came out with their plans for this years New Year’s Eve fireworks, parades and events for 2011 to 2012. So the following is all the information I have of what’s going on at the theme parks and other Disney resorts on New Years Eve December 31st. :)

Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park
The Magic Kingdom is the most popular Disney theme park to spend New Years Eve. That means it’s the most crowded and it WILL reach capacity and close to anymore guest once that happens. When that will occur is hard to say but it may be as early as mid afternoon.

So my advice is, if you want to see the late night shows and fireworks in the Magic Kingdom for New Years Eve, plan on going in before noon and staying there until your done for the night. This is not a good day to be park hopping!

Most of the shows, parades and fireworks are the same as last year. The times may change a bit, so double check a day or two before going in for the schedule of events. With that in mind here’s the plan so far:
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Disney Festival of the Masters 2011 art show at Downtown Disney

2011 Disney Festival of the Masters art show

If your an art fan, then you don’t want to miss the Disney Festival of the Masters 2011 art show at Downtown Disney! This amazing outdoor art show will showcase all kinds of top artist from around the world.

By artist I don’t mean just paintings, although there will be plenty there. But also you will see glass blowers, sculptors, clay art, many types of woodworking, specialty art of all kinds and many other wonderful art mediums on display.

The Disney Festival of the Masters art show is one of my favorite shows, I always go and take lots of pictures. This year it will be from November 11, 2011 To November 13, 2011.
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New Avatar Land being built at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park

Disney building new Avatar land at Animal Kingdom

For all you Avatar fans out there, Disney is planning something monumental, just for you. It’s Avatar Land! Avatar Land will be located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and construction will begin in 2013.

It’s scheduled to open to the public in 2016. Disney recently retained the rights to use the Avatar theme, and they include not just the rights to the original film, but also to the sequels that are planned for 2014 and 2015.

The first Avatar Land completed will be at Orlando’s Disney World, but eventually, all the Disney parks worldwide will include Avatar attractions.
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The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney 2011

Disney's Osborne family spectacle of dancing lights!

Christmas and lights go hand in hand, and if you want to enhance your holiday light experience, there’s no better place in the world to visit than Walt Disney World in Orlando on the holidays.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights for 2011 is an amazing display of music and twinkling lights. While many such light exhibits boast of having thousands of lights, this one has millions!

Disney World’s Spectacle of Dancing Lights has an interesting history. It began in Arkansas with an all-American family, the Osbornes, who decided to add some holiday magic to their community by decorating their home with numerous lights.
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Candlelight Processional Christmas holiday event at Disney World’s Epcot

Disney candlelight processional holiday event at Epcot

Walt Disney World is having lots of Holiday events going on around Christmastime. One of the favorites is the Disney Candlelight Processional holiday event at Epcot.

If you’d like to see and experience how Christmas is celebrated around the world, without ever having to leave the U.S.A., visit Walt Disney World in Orlando this holiday season!

Epcot will be rolling out its Holidays Around The World spectacular, complete with live entertainment, international holiday traditions, and thousands of decorations and lights.
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Walt Disney World’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2011

Disney Mickey's very merry Christmas party 2011

The holidays are always special at Walt Disney World, and one of the biggest and best events there is Disney’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party held at the Magic Kingdom theme park each year at night. For 2011 it’s even better!

For millions of children around the world, Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse has long been associated with Christmas. It probably began with some of the Mickey Mouse Christmas cartoons, especially Mickey’s Christmas Carol. With a trip to Orlando’s Magic Kingdom, your kids can be a part of the Disney Christmas magic.

During the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2011, the Magic Kingdom is transformed into a winter wonderland, with all the lights, music, and props you’d expect from Disney. Cinderella’s Castle is spectacular donned in its holiday lights!
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