Theme Park Madness in Orlando, Florida

Orlando, Florida is known for its excellent theme parks. People travel from all over the world to experience the magic of Walt Disney World Theme Park, the excitement of SeaWorld, and the fun of Universal Studios Orlando. These three parks are world famous for providing entertainment that is above and beyond what is expected of a theme park.

Walt Disney World Theme Park is park started by Walt Disney that features classic cartoon characters from Disney cartoons that are loved by children and adults all over the world. There are 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and several other attractions. Each park has different themes and characters for you to enjoy. Each park also has shows, rides, and other forms of entertainment that are a stunning display of technology combined with childhood dreams. This park is everything adults and children could dream of for a vacation getaway.

SeaWorld is another of Orlando’s premier parks. The park features animal attractions like the classic Shamu, thrill rides, and live shows that bring deep sea creatures to you like you’ve never seen them before. Experience the intelligence of killer whales as they perform tricks for you. There are even dog, cat, and bird shows for those who would like to see land animals perform. It’s a great time for people of all ages who enjoy seeing what animals are capable and riding fun rides.

Universal Studios Orlando is the final, most cutting-edge park in Orlando, Florida. This theme park features incredible rides, shows, and 3D shows that people of all ages will love. The park has rides unlike any others you will encounter. The Dueling Dragons is one unique example where you will experience the thrill of flying within feet of another roller coaster full of people. For a high-tech thrill, Universal Studios Orlando is one of the best in the business.

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival in Orlando, FL

The Epcot Center in the Walt Disney World Theme Park celebrates the return of spring each year with its International Flower and Garden Festival in Orlando, FL. This festival is held from March 17th to May 30th annually. There are thousands of plants used in the festival to construct large topiaries shaped like Disney characters and create lovely gardens. Part of this festival includes Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden which attracts thousands of exotic butterflies with the various flowers and plants used in the garden. 

Mickey Mouse topiaries reaching heights of ten feet are displayed by gardners who are there to teach others how to create some of these magical displays. Local horticulturists are brought in to talk to the visitors about the plants and give tips and advice on how to make their own gardens better. Everyone can learn something, from those who have never gardened to those who have been gardening all of their lives. 

While visiting the Epcot Center, you might also be interested in exploring some other avenues of Disney World. Activities like Chef Mickey’s Character Dining the Disney Character Breakfast with Limousine will add some fun variety to your trip. If you are in the mood for a unique theater experience, you may also want to attend the Cirque du Soleil La Nouba which is sure to entrance any viewers.

Tour the World Through Food at Epcot Center

The Epcot Theme Park at Walt Disney World Resort will begin its annual International Food and Wine Festival on September 25. The festival runs until November 8.

During this event, visitors can sample food from a variety of regions, enjoy concerts, and experience the thrilling rides and entertaining shows that Epcot offers year-round. There will be over 25 different food marketplaces set up throughout the park. These marketplaces have a regional theme and serve appetizer-sized portions of native dishes paired with suggested wine or beer pairings. Different regions include Paris; New Orleans; Santiago, Chile; Rio de Janerio, Brazil; Montreal; Athens; Bangkok, Thailand; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Cork, Ireland. Whatever kind of food you prefer, you will be sure to find a delicious dish or two, and you may even find some new favorites!

The Food and Wine Festival also features live concerts. The concert series features performers from a variety of genres. Scheduled performers include Kool and the Gang, Sister Sledge, Vanessa Carlton, Boyz II Men, and Taylor Hicks. Concerts will take place daily at the Epcot Americas Garden Theater.

Another feature of this event is seminars and demonstrations that will take place. Seminar and demonstration topics range from discussions about the history of beer to lectures on special regional ingredients. Some seminars are included in Epcot admission, but some require an additional fee. The Food and Wine Festival will also be hosting a number of special meals and events, including a dessert brunch with pastry chefs and a cheese tasting. These events all require advance reservations.

We offer Magic Your Way tickets available in one to ten day increments. The Magic Your Way ticket will give you access to Epcot Theme Park as well as all of the other theme parks of Disney (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney-Hollywood Studios), and many other Disney attractions, including DisneyQuest and Wide World of Sports.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Offers Gentle Frights to Excite the Entire Family

While Disney World offers a fantastical, immersive setting throughout the year for adults and children alike travelers will find an extra sense of wonder in each of the four parks on select dates from September 4 through November 1 as Disney World presents Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween. This family-friendly Halloween celebration will bring a variety of limited-time attractions to the four parks including Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade featuring characters from the Haunted Mansion as well as other Disney characters; Happy HalloWishes, a fireworks display showcasing some of the more famous villains from Disney; and all of the standard friends found throughout the four parks dressed in special costumes! The exact dates for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween are tentatively as follows:

• September 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29
• October 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
• November 1

Those interested in attending Disney World during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween can learn more about the celebration and find lodging near the Disney theme parks online.

As for Disney World itself, the mammoth theme park setting features four complete theme parks and two water parks, offering more than enough to make even an extended vacation a busy affair. Whether looking for a one-day admission into Magic Kingdom or looking for an entire vacation experience with a 5-day park hopper pass that will grant admission to all of the parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney – Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom), there’s an experience perfect for you and your family waiting at Disney World.

Learn more about the various options for attending Disney World and book tickets online.

Disney World Set to Host Its Popular Festival of the Masters

This November 7th through 9th Disney World will once again be holding its popular Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney. Now entering its 31st year, Festival of the Masters showcases a number of masterful artists working in mediums including paint, photography, glass works, sculpture, print, drawing, jewelry and digital art. Along with the masterful display of artistry, the time features a variety of live entertainment and activities to ensure there’s something for everyone on-hand. From browsing the many esteemed pieces of work to create your own masterpiece, Disney’s Festival of the Masters offers an entertaining way to experience the arts during your next vacation!

And while the actual Festival of Masters costs nothing to attend, you certainly won’t want to visit the grounds of Disney World without actually experiencing the parks themselves! Featuring four complete theme parks and two water parks, there’s quite a bit to do – and you can experience as much or little as you like. Whether looking for a one-day admission into Magic Kingdom or looking for an entire vacation experience with a 5-day park hopper pass that will grant admission to all of the parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney-Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom), there’s an experience perfect for you and your family waiting at Disney World.

Frightful Fun for the Entire Family at Disney World!

Halloween may still be over a month off, but Disney World is already gearing up for the holiday with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween. Held at the Magic Kingdom on select dates from September 5 through October 31, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween will feature a number of special events and exhibits in addition to the Magic Kingdom’s always stellar line-up of rides, shows and dining options. In particular, the park will feature a special Halloween parade, trick-or-treating options throughout the park and a special fireworks display. And with a toned-down emphasis on the frightful aspects of Halloween, all ages are sure to enjoy the magic and excitement of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween.

For those looking to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween there are a number of options to consider when visiting Disney World. Featuring four complete theme parks, a downtown area and two water parks, there’s quite a bit to do – and you can experience as much or little as you like. Whether looking for a one-day admission into Magic Kingdom to experience Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween or looking for an entire vacation experience with a 5-day park hopper pass that will grant admission to all of the parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, MGM – Disney Studios, Animal Kingdom), there’s an experience perfect for you and your family waiting at Disney World.

Keeping with the Disney World theme, Downtown Disney is home to one of the most creative and awe-inspiring shows throughout Orlando, if not the entire United States – Cirque du Soleil La Nouba. This impressive Cirque offering presents all of the quality acrobatics and artistry that fans of the series have come to expect. Over 60 performers take to the over 40 foot tall stage for a show that combines the limits of the human imagination with the limits of the human body.

Current Disney World Refurbishments & April Extra Magic Hours

With Spring officially here, it is time to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather! And as the days begin to grow longer, Disney World’s Extra Magic Hours will be appreciated all the more. For those not in the know, Extra Magic Hours are special times before or after normal park hours when the theme parks of Disney World are open to offer guests a full day of magic and excitement during their visit. Each of the park’s Extra Magic Hours fall on different days, and to help you completely plan your Disney World vacation we’ve highlighted exactly when each park’s Extra Magic Hours will be.

 Walt Disney World’s Morning Extra Magic Hours in April, 2008

Magic Kingdom: 2, 10, 17, 24
Epcot: 1, 4, 11, 16, 23
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 5, 12, 19, 26
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 7, 14, 21, 28

Walt Disney World’s Evening Extra Magic Hours in April, 2008

Magic Kingdom: 7, 13, 20, 27
Epcot: 4, 11, 18, 25
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 6, 14, 21, 28
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Of course, with Disney World being the encompassing theme park experience that it is, it is to be expected that there will occasionally be attractions and rides shut down for maintainence. Fortunately, this April is expected to see only two attractions shut down for refurbishment, ensuring that you’ll find a busy time regardless of the parks you decide to visit. The following refurbishments for April are:

Magic Kingdom
Minnie’s Country House – closed April 1 through 23

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The American Film Institute Showcase – closed April 1 through 30

Current Disney World Refurbishments & March Magic Hours

 As Spring rolls around Disney World undoubtedly becomes a hot spot for travelers looking for their first taste of warm weather. And to help ensure that you find a truly magical experience during your next Walt Disney World vacation, we’ve highlighted all of the attractions throughout the various theme parks that will be shut down throughout March. This way, you can be sure that you’ll find the exact thrills you’re expecting, all in working order!

Magic Kingdom

• Liberty Square Riverboat – Closed March 1
• Peter Pan’s Flight – Closed March 1 through 11

Blizzard Beach

• All of Blizzard Beach will be closed March 1 through 8

As of this posting, all rides and attractions at EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon are scheduled to be in working order. And while a few attractions in Magic Kingdom, and Blizzard Beach as a whole, will be shut down during the beginning of March, that’s not to say that you’ll be missing out whlie visiting. Every month Disney World features what is called Extra Magic Hours to offer guests the chance to make the most out of their visit to its magical theme parks. Essentially, each park featured in Disney World has specific dates throughout the month when it will have extended hours of operation. Any visitor with a Magic Your Way Ticket will be able to take advantage of the extra hours, which will begin before normal park hours or extend past the typical closing times anywhere from one to three hours. Below, you’ll find a complete list of Extra Magic Hours for February to help in planning your next visit to Disney World!

Walt Disney World’s Morning Extra Magic Hours in March, 2008

Magic Kingdom: 6, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27
Epcot: 1, 4, 11, 16, 23
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8, 15, 17, 21, 24, 28
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 3, 10, 19, 22, 26, 29, 31
Blizzard Beach: 20, 27

Walt Disney World’s Evening Extra Magic Hours in March, 2008

Magic Kingdom: 2, 9, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
Epcot: 7, 14, 18, 20, 25, 27
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 3, 10, 19, 26, 31
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 5, 12, 17, 24
Typhoon Lagoon: 22, 29

Current Disney World Refurbishments & February Magic Hours

To help ensure that you find a truly magical experience during your next Walt Disney World vacation, we’ve highlighted all of the attractions throughout the various theme parks that will be shut down throughout January and February. This way, you can be sure that you’ll find the exact thrills your expecting, all in working order!

• Minnie’s Country House: toontown fair – Magic Kingdom                        
  • January 1 – February 2, 2008
• Splash Mountain – Magic Kingdom                                                                      
  • January 1 – February 16, 2008
• Blizzard Beach                                                                                                                   
  • January 6 – March 8, 2008
• Snow White’s Scary Adventure – Magic Kingdom                                      
  • January 28 – February 16, 2008

All of the above parks and rides will be shut down for general maintenance, however that’s not to say that February visitors will be lacking in fun. Every month Disney World features what is called Extra Magic Hours to offer guests the chance to make the most out of their visit to its magical theme parks. Essentially, each park featured in Disney World has specific dates throughout the month when it will have extended hours of operation. Any visitor with a Magic Your Way Ticket will be able to take advantage of the extra hours, which will begin before normal park hours or extend past the typical closing times anywhere from one to three hours. Below, you’ll find a complete list of Extra Magic Hours for February to help in planning your next visit to Disney World!

Walt Disney World’s Morning Extra Magic Hours in February, 2008

Magic Kingdom: 7, 14, 21, 28
Epcot: 5, 12, 19
Disney-MGM Studios: 2, 9, 16, 23, 26
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 4, 11, 18, 25

Walt Disney World’s Evening Extra Magic Hours in February, 2008

Magic Kingdom: 3, 10, 17, 24
Epcot: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Disney-MGM Studios: 7, 14, 18, 25
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 6, 13, 20, 27

Disney World Extra Magic Hours For January

Every month Disney World features what is called Extra Magic Hours to offer guests the chance to make the most out of their visit to the magical theme park. Essentially, each park featured in Disney World has specific dates throughout the month when it will have extended hours of operation. Any visitor with a Magic Your Way Ticket will be able to take advantage of the extra hours, which will begin before normal park hours or extend past the typical closing times anywhere from one to three hours. Below, you’ll find a complete list of Extra Magic Hours for January to help in planning your New Year’s visit to Disney World!

Walt Disney World’s Morning Extra Magic Hours in January

Magic Kingdom: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Epcot: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Disney – MGM Studios: 5, 12, 19, 26
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Walt Disney World’s Evening Extra Magic Hours in January

Magic Kingdom: 6, 13, 20, 27
Epcot: 4, 11, 18, 25
Disney – MGM Studios: 7, 15, 22, 28
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

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