Posted on Wed, Nov 18, 2009 @ 07:19 AM
Win a Trip to Grand Opening of Harry Potter & The Wizarding World
The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
The Universal Orlando Resort is running a contest in which you can win a trip to the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure.
The grand prize is a trip for four to Orlando to participate in the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter sometime in Spring 2010. The official rules state that the specific grand opening dates are not yet determined. Trip package includes roundtrip plane tickets, three nights at a Universal Partner Hotel, and four 2-park Unlimited tickets.
Beyond the grand opening trip, other Potter-related prizes include magic wands, video games, DVDs, and other collectibles.
To enter, visit www.theroadtohogwarts.com and follow the instructions to fill out the registration form. In addition to the basic entry, completing various activities, like watching video clips or downloading wallpaper, will earn you additional entries into the contest.
Each participant can earn up to twenty-three entries throughout the course of the contest. The sweepstakes ends on Dec. 18, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. ET. with winners selected by the end of the year.
Remember, If you don't win, you can still be there for all the exciting action. Just check out all our Universal Studios Orlando Vacation Packages at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Harry Potter needs.
Posted on Tue, Nov 10, 2009 @ 07:31 AM
Jungle Jack Hanna at SeaWorld & Busch Gardens
The following courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
Celebrity animal expert Jungle Jack Hanna will be appearing at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa, each for a weekend on the wild side. Jungle Jack will be appearing at Busch Gardens this weekend, Nov. 14 and 15 and at SeaWorld on Nov. 21 and 22. He'll will be putting on two shows per day featuring animals from all over the world. His shows at Busch Gardens will be at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. at SeaWorld.
In addition to the shows, you can get more personal with Hanna during these special events:
Jack Hanna Family Sleepover at Busch Gardens:
Join Jack for a night of family experiences by going behind the scenes and spend the evening enjoying interactive activities while encountering animal nightlife, including an animal encounter hosted by Jack Hanna. Then sleep overnight at an onsite venue and with a continental breakfast the next morning. The sleepover runs 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. each night.
Jack Hanna Serengeti Night Safari at Busch Gardens
Explore the nighttime mysteries of hippos, lions and hyenas under the moon's light. Then, continue on a guided safari expedition, complete with night vision monoculars, on the 65-acre Serengeti Plain. End with a gathering around the bonfire with Jack for tales of African lore.
Breakfast With Jack Hanna at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld
An opportunity to get up close with Jack's furry friends.
To book your reservation for any of the special events, call 888-800-5447. The daily shows are included with park admission.
Still haven't got tickets yet to SeaWorld or Busch Gardens? Check out all our Orlando Vacation Packages for your next SeaWorld or Busch Gardens Vacation.
Posted on Sat, Nov 07, 2009 @ 07:03 AM
Weekend of Fun at Fantasy of Flight
The Following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
Roar n' Soar, Fantasy of Flight's signature two-day extravaganza of the world's finest classic land, sea and air racing machines ever built, will return this weekend. Now in its third year, the event promises an even bigger combination air show, classic car show and slalom competition, boat show and regatta and extreme sports showcase held Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Fla., midway between Orlando and Tampa.
Roar n' Soar takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 and Sunday, Nov. 8 (gates open at 9 a.m.) at the attraction's spacious lakefront grounds and airfield. Throughout the two-day festival, the best of the best in aviation perform precision aerial maneuvers in Fantasy of Flight owner and founder Kermit Weeks' "World's Greatest Aircraft Collection" including the Grumman Duck, P51-C and Fokker DR-1. Pilots will be on hand between maneuvers to greet guests. Challenging their full-size counterparts, giant-scale model aircraft will strut their stuff in their own demonstration of formation flying, precision aerobatics and aerial combat maneuvers.
A team of powered paragliders will also create a colorful canopy in the sky as they demonstrate the world's smallest, most personal aircraft in which they wear their motors on their backs. Not to be outdone, Neal Goss, the Guinness World Records oldest living hang glider at 89 years old, will be on-hand to demonstrate his record-breaking techniques.
Meanwhile, classic car lovers will enjoy seeing the Rare, Antique, Classic & Exotic Car Show, marveling at classic and one-of-a-kind luxury automobiles including Jaguar, Austin-Healy, Ferrari, BMW and Porsche. These stunning cars aren't just for show - many of them feature the horsepower and torque to kick up some dust in the sanctioned Jaguar Slalom competition, in which drivers of all types of classic cars will test their mettle by maneuvering through a cone-lined course on the hangar tarmac.
Vintage race boats are just as plentiful at Roar n' Soar, where the Classic Race Boat Association is hosting as many as 50 of the most elegant and powerful race boats ever built in exhibition fly-bys on the mile-and-a-half-course along Lake Agnes. Boats and their drivers will be available between runs to meet with guests and take photos. Orlando Culvert Dodgers will be running gasoline and nitro methane powered radio-control model boats in a race-like, oval course on Lake Agnes.
Special "Kid's Crew" children's activities are offered as part of the event where kids can try their hand at flying their own hot air balloon and hang gliding simulators in Fantasy of Flight's "Fun with Flight," with prizes awarded for precision landings.
Fantasy of Flight is partnering with Homefront Hugs USA to pack holiday gift packages to ship to U.S. Troops overseas. Guests pre-purchasing tickets or buying them at the gate who
also bring a donated item from a list of the soldiers' most desirable items will receive $5 off one event ticket for one donated item.
Items include:
• $20 AT&T Prepaid phone card
• Bulk package of beef jerky
• Multi-packs of chewing gum
• Packages of note cards
• Packages of protein bars
One-day tickets are available for adults for $23 per person with one child ages 6 to 15 free ($12 value) with a paying adult. Two-day tickets are available for adults for $38 per person with one child ages 6to 15 free ($19 value) with a paying adult. Children 5 and younger are free. Active military and veterans may purchase a weekend event pass for $15 per person and receive a free weekend pass for a child. Valid Military ID required at time of purchase. Discounted rate is not valid for additional guests.
For more information or to purchase Roar n' Soar tickets, call 863-984-3500 or visit fantasyofflight.com.
Also check out all the Orlando Vacation Packages at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com that we offer to Disney World & other Orlando area theme parks.
Posted on Sun, Sep 20, 2009 @ 06:48 AM
Choosing The Right Hotel For Your Orlando Vacation In The Orlando/Kissimmee Area
If you are traveling to the Orlando are for your Disney Vacation, be sure to look for Kissimmee Hotels rather than a hotel in the downtown Orlando area or around the Orlando airport. The reason that you want to focus your attention away from Orlando, Florida and towards Kissimmee is that Disney World is actually in Kissimmee, Florida and not in Orlando. Orlando just happens to be the largest city in the area.
In fact, if you chose to say in downtown Orlando, you would be a good thirty to sixty minutes away from the Disney World resort. Of course this all depends all the local traffic. If you stay in a Kissimmee Hotel, you will be anywhere from five to twenty minutes from the Disney World Resort.
If you like having a shorter drive to Disney, then try booking a hotel like the Radisson Worldgate, Ramada Orlando Celebration or Celebration Suites at Old Town. These Kissimmee Hotel are not owned by Disney but still sit near the Walt Disney World entrance.
If you like, check out our web site for all your Disney Vacations, Discount Hotels, and all other Orlando Vacation Package needs at Orlando Discount Tickets USA.
Posted on Wed, Sep 09, 2009 @ 06:41 AM
Vacation Packages for Halloween Horror Nights-Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party-SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular
Well the time is almost here in Orland, Florida where all the Theme Parks get geared up for their annual Halloween Events...
Disney World has Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party & SeaWorld Orlando gives you Halloween Spooktacular. Both of these Theme Park attractions are geared for the little ones with costume dress up, trick-or-treating, shows, parades...There is just so much for kids to do that you can't go wrong picking one..
But if you are the fear, gory, want to get the jeepers scared out of you, then Universal Studios annual event Halloween Horror Nights is the mega of all Halloween Spectacles..
Thats why Orlando Discount Tickets USA has put together a few Orlando Vacation Packages for you to choose from when you want to come to Orlando during Halloween...We have some that are just one day and some that are combo and multi-day for the real thrill seekers...
So whether you are coming to Orlando just for Halloween or wanting to visit Disney World, Universal Studios or SeaWorld, make sure that you check out all our Orlando Vacation Packages..We are sure that we have the right Vacation Package for you and your family.
Posted on Tue, Sep 01, 2009 @ 08:16 AM
Disney World Is Purchasing Marvel But What Does Universal Have to Say
*The Following Article Courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine*
The Walt Disney Company announced yesterday they're acquiring Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion in cash and stock. This means Disney will own rights to 5,000 Marvel characters such as Spider-Man, Hulk, Capt. America, The X-Men, Dr. Doom, Fantastic Four and more.
So what will this mean for the future of Universal Islands of Adventure and its Marvel Super Hero Island? This section of the park includes rides such as The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Dr. Doom's Fearfall, Storm Force Accelatron and The Incredible Hulk Coaster. In addition to the rides, there are many Marvel walk-around characters in the park.
Marvel shareholders will receive $30 per share in cash plus 0.745 Disney shares for every Marvel share they own. The boards of Disney and Marvel have both approved the transaction, but it requires an antitrust review and the approval of Marvel shareholders.
There's no word from Universal yet on the future of the land.
Update:
Disney's President Bob Iger appeared on CNBC earlier today and had this to say, "Marvel characters have already proven to be strong in terms of theme park attraction and we believe there are a lot of opportunities around the world, not in every one of our parks because there are some existing agreements that we obviously have to honor, but in a number of places for us to use the Marvel characters to basically help us grow our theme park business and better entertain people."
Universal Orlando spokesman Tom Schroder said Marvel characters will remain a staple at its parks. "Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal's Islands of Adventure and the Marvel characters are a beloved and important part of the Universal Orlando experience. They will remain so. Our guests are going to get to meet Spider-Man and all our other Marvel characters. We believe our agreement with Marvel stands and that the Disney/Marvel deal will have no impact on our guest experience."
The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Marvel has various deals with Universal Orlando. But the agreements governing The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride and The Incredible Hulk roller coaster, appear to be virtually perpetual deals. According to Universal's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Universal Orlando retains American rights east of the Mississippi River for as long as its attractions are in operation. Universal and Marvel also have various deals for everything from merchandise sales to the theming of many other portions of Islands of Adventure.
Still haven't got tickets yet to Disney World or Universal Studios Orlando, or your looking for an Orlando Vacation Package to either theme park? Then check out our website at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Vacation Package needs.
Posted on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 @ 01:15 PM
Universal Studios Orlando Raising Ticket Prices
Well a little after a week that Disney World raised it's ticket prices, Universal Studios has now done the same..The price now for 1 Day at either Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure is going from $75 to $79 plus tax...That's $83.74 for 1 Day 1 Park.
Like I said in a past post a about a week ago, I really can't believe that in these tough economic times that we are in, that Disney World or Universal Orlando would even consider raising their prices.
They talk about how attendance is down and that they are trying to come up with all these promotions to get more people to the theme parks, then why would they raise the price?
I give it about a year to year and a half befor it will cost the average adult $100 to get into the parks for 1 Day. What a joke..
Well if you haven't got your Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure tickets or Vacation Packages, then check out our website at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Universal Orlando Vacation Packages!
Posted on Sat, Aug 08, 2009 @ 06:47 AM
Disney World Resorts Princess & The Frog
Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" is coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World. "Tiana's Showboat Jubilee", a new show based on the upcoming movie will be open for the holiday season at both parks.
Beginning November 6 at Disneyland in California and October 26 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, jazz musicians and performers will parade through New Orleans Square at Disneyland and Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom.
When the group reaches the Rivers of America boat dock, pre-selected theme park guests will board the riverboat where Princess Tiana and her friends will be there to greet them. The boat will make its way down the river, stopping occasionally for the musicians to perform songs from the movie. The show will run through January 3rd at both parks.
The Princess and the Frog opens December 11 and features Disney's first African-American princess.
Still haven't got tickets yet to Disney World and the Magic Kingdom? Check out our website for all your Disney World Vacation Packages plus other great Orlando Vacation Packages at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com
Posted on Mon, Jul 27, 2009 @ 07:40 AM
Fantasyland Construction May Add Truth to Disney World Refurbishment Plans
For the past week, Walt Disney World fans across the Internet have been excited by the possibility of a major Fantasyland makeover coming to Disney's Magic Kingdom soon. It all started when an image reportedly depicting plans for the refurbishment surfaced online
Photo & article courtesy of Orlando Attraction Magazine
The plans call for the addition of several new areas to Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom including sections devoted to Disney's princesses Belle, Cinderella, Aurora, and Ariel. In addition, according to the plans, Dumbo would be moved and enhanced with two spinning sections instead of one and Tinker Bell and her fairy friends would take over the current entrance of Toontown, replacing it with Pixie Hollow.
But you've probably read all about that already. Whether these plans were really leaked or just something out of a Disney fan's imagination is still unknown. However, signs are beginning to point to their legitimacy.
Here's the new information...
Some Disney cast members who have backstage access to Fantasyland and Toontown are now reporting that some construction has begun in these areas - and the assumption is that it is part of the major overhaul. We've also been told that areas normally open for use by cast members are being blocked off and even some buses are being rerouted. Moreover, there are sources who claim to have spoken to Disney Imagineers who said that these plans are indeed final and in-progress.
This wouldn't be the first time Disney World has given one of their Fantasylands an overhaul. However, the last major Fantasyland upgrade was not at Walt Disney World but rather in California at Disneyland, back in the early 1980s, when its carnival-type atmosphere was replaced with the look of a more detailed European-style village.
Since Disney World has not officially announced any plans to renovate Fantasyland in Orlando yet, we're still skeptical of the plans - but keeping our eyes and ears open. It seems to become more truthful by the day.
Still haven't got your Disney World Vacation Package yet? Check out our website for all your Orlando Vacation Package needs to Disney World at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com
Posted on Tue, Jul 21, 2009 @ 07:46 AM
Rumors Floating Around Disney World
I've been hearing some very interesting rumors about projects at Walt Disney World. Though I can't vouch for their 100% accuracy, but I thought I'd share none-the-less. At least one of these will forever change the way you experience the parks and resorts.
There's the recently posted Fantasyland expansion for the Magic Kingdom. Sources tell me this project will be built pretty much like we see it. Or at least 80% of the project has been approved.
Magic Kingdom isn't the only park entering Fantasyland. Disney's Animal Kingdom will soon be adding its own realm of fantasy. It's a huge project that will bring over Journey To The Center of the Earth in a format that's just slightly different than what they have now in Tokyo. It's not fair to call this ‘Beastly Kingdom' as that idea is truly dead. But fantasy animals will be involved. This project is just out of the blue-sky phase and awaiting further consideration by those who control the purse strings.
Disney's Wide World of Sports should complete it's transition to ESPN Wide World of Sports by May of 2010. Well, at least the signage and everything should be changed. The full impact of the shift will occur over time. Look for EWWOS to truly start to become a legitimate part of your WDW Vacation experience.
You have have heard about the family suites coming to Pop Century's long forgotten Legendary Years. With ESPN WWOS concentrating on bringing in more amateur sports, those teams are going to need some place to stay. My source tells me that half the proposed remake of the Legendary years will be ESPN themed. That makes sense to me since its right across the street from WWOS.
Not into sports? Well then how about a visit to the newly expanded and rethemed Downtown Disney. The old Pleasure Island section has reportedly signed a few new tenants and will under go a theme change to something more family casual and less party oriented. There is also talk of upgrading a few of the theaters in the AMC 24 to include service at your chair and potentially a new IMAX theater.
A few months ago Jim McPhee was removed from his position as Vice President of EPCOT Center. At the time we were told that McPhee was being moved onto a bigger resort wide project, but there was no indication of what that was. Now we're hearing that the next phase Pal Mickey project is based on RFID technology. This would do away with the doll and just place an RFID tag somewhere on the person (likely the admission media). Now anytime this RFID would come in proximity of a scanner Disney would be able to make some personalized magic happen. Word is that McPhee has been tasked with implementing this project resort wide.
In its most basic form it would be Winnie the Pooh saying your name in the attraction. But the technology allows Disney World to do some really amazing things too. Fast Pass? A thing of the past. Via RFID Disney now knows exactly when you entered the queue, how many people are in the queue, and how fast the attraction is loading. Care to register your preferences? Disney can know if enough people who prefer a certain type of entertainment are in an area and dispatch that band to play. This just scratches the surface too.
Privacy activists will no doubt be up in arms, but I'm pretty excited about the possibilities RFID technology brings to Disney's theme parks.
So with the economy beginning to come out of its doldrums, this might be the moment for Disney World to focus on some urban renewal in its own backyard.
Still haven't got your tickets to Disney World yet? Then check out our website at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Disney World Vacations.