Fly in and see Disney’s Epcot flower and garden festival 2012!

Disney's Epcot flower and garden festival

Soon it will be time for Disney’s Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival for 2012! This is a great annual event and many fly in from all over the world to be a part of it.

If you’re a landscape and gardening enthusiast, you probably watch the HGTV channel pretty regularly. Now you can get in on the scene in person when HGTV hosts the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. The dates for the events will take place beginning March 7, 2012, and will continue through May 20.

You will want to check out the best flights to Florida deals you can find and be a part of this popular annual Disney event. There will be lots of experts on hand to help you with landscaping ideas, gardening designs, and ways to improve the looks of your yard and your home’s exterior.

Some of the experts you’ll recognize from your favorite HGTV shows, and others will be from the University of Florida. You’ll even have a chance to pose your questions to the pros. Different topics are discussed daily, ranging from floral arrangements to garden insects.

You’ll love all the displays at the festival, too. Some of these include bonsai gardens, spice and herb plants, orchids, and a lovely English tea garden. Your visit will be enhanced with some famous musical talents in the Flower Power Concert Series.

Among the performers will be Starship, The Guess Who, Jose Feliciano, The Spinners, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Chubby Checker and the Wildcats, The Turtles, members of Electric Light Orchestra, The Monkey’s Davy Jones, Herman’s Hermits, and Three Dog Night’s Chuck Negron.

Kids will have a blast at this event, too. They’ll especially enjoy the whimsical topiary presentations of their favorite Disney characters. They’ll also love the Butterfly House and the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden, which includes play structures just for kids.

The youngsters can find even more play structures at Let’s Get Moving, which is located at the Imagination Walkway. So book your flight now and come down to enjoy Disney’s Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival for 2012!

Daytona Beach bike week 2012!

Daytona beach bike week 2012

Well once again it will soon be time for the Daytona Beach Bike Week for 2012! This year it runs from March 9th to the 18th 2012. That’s about a week later than normal.

There is nothing like the sight and sound of over 150,000 motorcycles all going in one place! This year there may be even more than that, it’s always hard to say.

The weather should be pretty good this year as it has been warmer than normal here in Florida. So just what types of people go to bike week? Surprising most of them are family types with kids and pets with them.
[Read more…]

Jack Hanna weekend at SeaWorld

If you love and appreciate “critters,” mark your calendar for March 24 and 25, 2012 for the Jack Hanna SeaWorld weekend event. Pack your duds and head to SeaWorld in Orlando, where you’ll get to see the legendary Jack Hanna live and in person.

Jungle Jack will be hosting shows each day in the Nautilus Theater, at 1:15 and 3:15 p.m. Attendees will learn about nature, birds, animals, and conservation.

As you probably already know, Jack Hanna always has some feathered or furry pals with him. Sometimes these co-stars are eagles, sometimes they’re leopards, and at other times, he’s been joined by noisy kookaburras from “Down Under.” No matter which creatures try to steal the limelight from Jack, the show is sure to be educational and entertaining.
[Read more…]

Paws in the park, downtown Orlando pet fundraiser Feb. 11th 2012

Downtown Orlando pet event, paws in the park

It’s not often I talk about a local Orlando event, normally I talk about the theme parks and tourist news. But I wanted to let you all know about what’s going on this weekend in downtown Orlando.

This Feb. 11th, 2012 in Downtown Orlando at Lake Eola will be the 18th annual Paws in the Park pet fundraiser event! Like the name says it will be for people to come out with their dogs, walk around Lake Eola and raise money for the local Orlando SPCA.

The Orlando SPCA, otherwise known as the pet humane society, helps many homeless pets of all kinds each year. It does a vast amount of services for pets that need a good home as well as helping pets of low income families.

This years Paws in the Park pet event will be from 9:00 AM to noon. There will be live music and entertainment, a kids zone, great food and drinks, many pet vendors, raffles and much more.

All proceeds benefit the Orlando SPCA and there will be many pet lovers out there raising money for this great cause. So come out to Orlando’s Lake Eola, have fun and help out homeless and needy pets! :)

SeaWorld Orlando Bands, Brew and BBQ concerts, shows 2012

SeaWorld's Bands, Bew and BBQ shows for 2012

SeaWorld in Orlando has hit a major homerun with this event – Bands, Brew, and BBQ. Three of America’s favorites – what’s not to love? The fun starts on February 12, 2012, and takes place every Saturday and Sunday from then through March 4.

Listening to the live performances is even better when it’s accompanied by tasty food and great beer, and SeaWorld has taken care of these details. Scores of beers from some twenty international and American breweries will keep everyone’s thirst quenched.

And as for food, it’s all about barbecue and items hot off the grill. Guests can travel from tent to tent sampling the offerings, or they can relax in the beer garden. The BBQ will be prepared by some of the best grillmasters in the area, along with some of SeaWorld’s own skilled chefs.
[Read more…]

Mardi Gras parade and concerts at Universal Studios 2012

Universal Studios Mardi Gras 2012

If you’ve always wanted to attend the world-famous Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, but haven’t been able to do so, head to Orlando, instead. From February 11 through April 14, Universal Studios in Orlando will be throwing a Mardi Gras party that will rival the one in the Crescent City.

In fact, parents will much prefer the Orlando version, as it’s much more kid-friendly. During the celebration, an extravagant parade will amaze guests every Saturday night, with beautiful floats, street performers, lots of beads, dancers in fantastic costumes, and music. And here’s something the Big Easy doesn’t have – a special parade just for little revelers!

Universal is going all out for Mardi Gras in 2012. Visit the French Quarter and enjoy some real Cajun food prepared by real Cajun chefs. As you dive into some jambalaya, red beans and rice, or beignets, you can hear some music provided by bands and artists straight from New Orleans.
[Read more…]

SeaWorld’s Just For Kids festival spring of 2012

SeaWorld just for kids festival spring of 2012!

January and February are usually pretty dreary months for kids. All the fun and excitement of Christmas is over, and in much of the country, the weather is depressing.

Believe it or not, these two winter months can be a blast at SeaWorld! The park rolls out its red carpet for kids, with the SeaWorld Just for Kids Festival. For four Saturdays in a row, from January 14th through February 4th, 2012, kids of all ages can enjoy shows, music, rides, animals, and more at the Orlando park.

On Januray 14th, Lazy Town Live will be performed on stage. In case you’re not familiar with Lazy Town, it’s a television show that encourages families and kids to embrace a healthy lifestyle. In the stage show, Ziggy, Stephanie, and Sportacus address energy.
[Read more…]

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! :)

Macy’s holiday parade at Universal Studios Youtube video

I’m running behind on lots of things these days due to the holidays. Right now over at Universal Studios they are having their Macy’s holiday parade going on each night until Jan. 1st.

I have not been over there yet to take a video of it, but I will soon. Once I do I will upload it to my youtube channel and share it here. In the meantime I thought you might want to see the one I made from last year.

Here’s a tip. At the end of the parade they have the Christmas tree lighting display. The girls from the Rockettes do a dance right in front of the tree, then at the end the lights come on and confetti comes down.

So if you can get a spot near the tree to watch the parade. The tree will be in the lower part of the park near “The Mummy” ride. This is at the Universal Orlando park, NOT at Islands of Adventure. Enjoy my video! :)

New years eve almost here for theme park fireworks

Get your theme park plans ready for new years eve

I know Christmas has not even gotten here yet but I thought it was a good time to remind you to get your tickets and plans finalized if your going to go to a theme park here in Orlando for New Years Eve.

The big 3 theme parks; Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld will all have their own unique New Years eve parties and shows. Most will have midnight fireworks, but not all of them. I have articles about them all.

For what’s going on at Walt Disney World, check out my Disney New Years events page to see what’s going on. The Magic Kingdom will be the best place for New Years parades, shows and fireworks.
[Read more…]

Buffet stations at CityWalk New Years Eve party

The CityWalk new years party food stations picture

Click here for full size image

For those of you thinking of going to Universal Studios CityWalk New Years Eve party, they have come out with all their plans and information. For a full list of what’s going on that night see my CityWalk New Years Eve party article with updated information.

One of the highlights of the party is the free buffet food you will get that is included with the price of the event ticket. Universal has just come out with a detailed map of the stations where they will be.

There are actually several different types of buffet stations. They have entree`, seafood, desert and champagne stations. If you click the text link below the picture above you can see a full size image that shows where they all will be.
[Read more…]

From Orlando Inside, happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving day from Orlando Inside!

Once again it’s time for Thanksgiving day in the USA! Time to count your blessings and be thankful for whatever you have. This year has been hard on lots of folks, so it will be a bit harder to find things to be thankful for.

But we here in the United States still have it much better than lots of the other world, even poor folks. One of my favorite saying is “everything is relative”.

Which means we all tend to see things relative to where we are, who we are and what has happened in our lives. Because of that we often see our good luck or bad luck only in relation to how our life is right now.
[Read more…]