New Disney Villains in the Celebrate the Magic show

September 3, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

For those who don’t know, Disney has had a new nighttime show at The Magic Kingdom theme park for about a year now. Called “Celebrate the Magic” it projects colorful Disney scenes onto the Castle at night, set to music.

It’s really a very cool show, using the whole castle as a giant screen. They normally show this just before the fireworks show, on the nights they have it.

Well now starting Sept. 1st to Nov. 1st the show will include more of the Disney villains. Such as Ursula from the little mermaid, Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty and more.

I assume they are doing this because of Halloween, which makes sense. On the nights they have the “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party” at the Magic Kingdom, the show will play after normal guest have left.

So that will give a nice refreshment to the show if you’ve seen it before. As well as adding to the whole Halloween theme of villains. Make sure you check it out if you have not seen it yet!

Time to hit the Disney parks now!

August 25, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

For those of you who know me, I don’t have kids. Because of that my Disney and theme park plans are often a bit different than those who do have little ones.

It also played a part in the type of annual Disney pass I got. Summer is just about over and the kids are going back to school. For those with kids that means only being able to do things as a family during the weekends for the most part.

But for those childless ones like myself it’s the start of the best time of year to go to all the theme parks during the week. That’s why I choose and have a Disney weekday select pass.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Walt Disney World Tagged With: disney, Disney parks, theme parks, Walt Disney World

Hot air balloon show picture gallery of my vacation

August 16, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

About a month ago I took a trip up to Vermont, something I do twice a year. It’s where I’m from so I go up to see Mom, family and friends. This time I lucked out and got there just as Stowe, Vermont was having a hot air balloon festival.

I had never been to one but always wanted to see one. So I took the opportunity to go to this one. They had 25 balloons so it was a good show. You could stand right next to them as they blew up the balloons and took off.

I would have rode on one but it cost $275.00, a bit more than I wanted to spend for a 30 minute ride. Anyways it was really cool to see them take off and I took a lot of pictures.

I also went hiking and took a gondola car up a mountain. I took pictures of all that too and made a big picture gallery for you to enjoy. Because who doesn’t love watching people’s vacation pictures! 😀

Really though, you’ll enjoy these if you like hot air balloons and outdoorsy shots. So start the slide show below and check it out.

To use this picture gallery, click on the first picture and the picture show will start. Click the arrow in the right bottom corner to go to the next picture. Click inside the picture at any time to exit the picture gallery. Hope you enjoy these pictures from my vacation!

Filed Under: Orlando vacation Tagged With: gondola, hot air balloon, hot air balloon show, vacation, vermont

Snow White and the seven dwarfs roller coaster update

August 8, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

One of the very last rides being made at the new Fantasyland at Disney’s Magic Kingdom is also what I think will be one of the best. The seven dwarfs roller coaster is moving along, as you can see in the above video.

I always thought that Disney should have made a Snow White and the seven dwarfs roller coaster ride years ago. The diamond mine with the carts and track was a perfect theme for a cool indoor roller coaster.

From what I can see the roller coaster will be both inside and outside. It does not have very high hills but you can see some sharp curves. I think it will be very similar in size and speed of Big Thunder Mountain railroad.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Walt Disney World Tagged With: roller coaster, seven dwarfs roller coaster, snow white, snow white roller coaster, the seven dwarfs

Adult Fun in Orlando

August 2, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

Great Food, Overflowing Drinks and Live Poker

Orlando has been heralded for its plethora of theme parks, these include the famous Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios. All of the aforementioned theme parks attract many families during summer and spring break because they offer attractions that are suited for all ages. However, most bachelors and single ladies choose to go to Las Vegas or New York to find their kind of fun.

So what is it that they are looking for? If you think that Orlando is all about riding the roller coaster or playing at the shooting arcade, then you haven’t explored this city enough. There are also places in Orlando that offer attractions for the adults like live poker and other exciting games such as billiards and darts.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Orlando Nightclubs, Orlando vacation Tagged With: Florida poker, Orlando poker, party poker, poker, Poker parties

See my new brown cowhide leather jackets!

July 28, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

Click here to find out more about this great jacket!

Yes I know, leather jackets have nothing to do with a tourist site. But I run my own leather jackets and apparel website and I’m excited about a new jacket I just got so I wanted to mention it here.

A short time ago I figured out how to order my very own leather jackets directly from leather manufactures. I mean I tell them the designs and colors I want and they make it from scratch, custom made.

That opens up a lot more styles and designs of leather jackets I can now sell. Before I did what everyone else does; order the same types of jackets from a few big wholesalers everyone else does.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: orlando shopping Tagged With: leather jackets, mens cafe jacket, mens leather jacket, retro brown leather jacket

Skip the Line: The Seven Best Theme Park Attractions That Aren’t Rides

July 22, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

There are more to theme parks than rides and rollercoasters. Theme parks want you to have the time of your life, and that means providing way more to do than just rides. There are shows and exhibits of all types: dancing, parades, musicals, parties, circuses, and more on offer at theme parks today. Whether your next trip is taking you to Orlando or L.A., you can skip the lines and check out these awesome attractions that aren’t rides.

• Kilmanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: This safari takes visitors through a tour of the African savanna in an open-air vehicle. Here, Disney guests can see real animals in their natural habitats as they wind through the lush natural preserve. It’s important to stay in the vehicle because in the Kilmanjaro Safari, over 34 species of African wildlife roam free! This attraction gives guests the unique opportunity to encounter animals like antelopes, elephants, lions, and okapis.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Orlando vacation, Walt Disney World Tagged With: attractions, disney, theme park attractions, theme parks, Universal Studios

Disney’s Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2013

July 17, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

This great annual event at DisneyWorld’s Epcot theme park is a real treat for the senses. Foodies and those who appreciate good wine will want to save the date for the 18th Epcot International Food and Wine Festival from September 27th to November 10th 2013.

What’s on the ‘menu’?
As expected there will be an abundance of culinary delights to sample at the International Marketplaces, tasting events and seminars, as well as concerts and celebrity chefs to schmooze with.

International Marketplaces
The Marketplaces offer up cuisines from countries around the world. Back again for another year are the Brazil and Hawaii Marketplaces which were well received at last year’s festival. Making its debut is the Scotland Marketplace with products synonymous with the country such as Scotch, mead and beer. Will there be haggis too?
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Annual Events, Walt Disney World Tagged With: disney, Epcot, Epcot festival, Epcot food and wine, International Food and Wine Festival

Cabin in the woods will be at Universal Studios Halloween Horror nights

July 10, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

Most people don’t know it, but Universal Studios has a full team of people that work all 12 months of the year on the next Halloween Horror Nights event. They come up with the themes of the new haunted houses, sets, costumes and so on.

One thing I found out recently is that one of the haunted houses is going to be modeled after “The cabin in the woods” movie. “Cabin” director and co-writer Drew Goddard is working with Universal on the house’s production.

If you saw the movie you know there are lots of creepy creatures in it. The haunted cabin at Universal Studios will have all of them in it, including the “merman” and the crazy unicorn.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Annual Events, Universal Studio Tagged With: cabin in the woods, halloween horror nights, Universal Studios

Happy 4th of July in Orlando, Florida!

July 4, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

Happy 4th of July everyone! It’s time to celebrate independence day with BBQ’s, outdoor fun and of course great fireworks. Here in Orlando we have lots of local firework displays to choose from.

Plus you can see unique displays at the local theme parks. Some of the most well known local fireworks are the Cranes Roost Park “Red, Hot and Boom” show at Altamonte Springs. This show was last night, the 3rd.

At downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park there will be a big party and fireworks show tonight. Activities start at 4 PM and go on until 10 PM. Fireworks start at 9:10 PM.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Annual Events, Orlando vacation Tagged With: Disney fireworks, fireworks, Orlando, Orlando fireworks, SeaWorld fireworks

Welcome to Springfield in Orlando, Florida

June 28, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

Fans of The Simpsons can now enter the once fictional and animated world of Springfield at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The life-size home town of one of TV’s most loved families of all time, The Simpsons, will be serving up characters and previously only fictitious delights such as Duff Beer.

What is there to do?
Well as this is only the first stage of the developments for this attraction, visitors can get their thrills on the existing Simpson Ride. The ride involves a visit to Krusty the Clown’s low-budget take on a theme park called Krustyland. Guests experience his vision of theme park fun along with Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge and Maggie. They’re in for a Krusty time.

However, as The Simpsons attraction expands throughout the year, fans will also be able to experience a new ride based on the show’s aliens. The ride will be called Kang & Kodos Twirl ‘n’ Hurl, which gives a little insight into what to expect. Perhaps fans shouldn’t try this one on a full stomach.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Theme Park Ride Reviews, Universal Studio Tagged With: simpsons, simpsons park, springfield, springfield orlando, Universal Studios

Universal Studios Transformers ride now open!

June 22, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

If your heading to Universal Studios soon, you’ll be happy to know that the new Transformers ride is now open! At two stories high and sitting right in the middle of the park you can’t miss it.

The new Transformers ride is in the Universal Studios Florida park, not Islands of Adventure. They have had a soft opening for the last few weeks but yesterday was the official grand opening. That means they should have all the bugs worked out of it, hopefully.

You can expect very long lines to this ride all summer long. If your a local I would wait until this fall when the crowds thin out to check it out. A few hours wait time will be the norm all summer.

If you don’t want to wait you can purchase an express pass that will get you to the front of the lines, but they are expensive. Another option is to use the single rider line if you are alone or don’t mind your group being split up.

That is what I will do when I go, which hopefully will be soon. I’ve heard the ride is great, with a combination of 3D screens, simulator and real motion. I’m sure it will be a blast.

So if you like the transformers and can’t wait to do the ride, it’s now open! If you do decide to just get in the normal line, have some water with you and prepare for a long slow wait anytime this summer.