When you come up to Central Florida we are pretty sure you have got Orlando theme parks on the mind. After all, advertisements for parks like Universal Studios, Wet ‘N Wild and the Walt Disney World Resort are everywhere. But have you ever thought of Orlando as a sports town? We have the Orlando Magic and just got our own football team thanks to the UFL’s Florida Tuskers, but the great folks at Disney recently opened up a sports spot that blows any other one out of the water.

The ESPN Innovation Lab at Disney’s Wide World of Sports is a brand new lab designed to create sports technology that will enhance the game viewing experience for both players and fans. They’ve already released two special features that have enhanced the Major League Baseball and National Football League experiences. For the MLB the ESPN Innovation Lab created Ball Track. This Doppler-based system tracks the distance, height, speed and duration of home runs knocked out of the park by MLB heavy hitters. It was already used successfully over at the MLB’s 2009 Home Run Derby.

For the NFL, the ESPN Innovation Lab created the Snap Zone. This freeze-frame technology lets fans take in depth views at certain plays and zoom in and out to check out every detail. The great thing about the ESPN Innovation Lab is that it will be open to visitors at certain times throughout the year. This means that guests will be able to take a look at whatever project the “emerging technology staff” is working on.

“The ESPN Innovation Lab is an extension of ESPN’s commitment to being a leader in technology,” said Chuck Pagano, executive vice president, technology, ESPN. “This cutting-edge production house will foster creativity and the development of new tools to provide fans the best on-air coverage of sporting events.”

The Wide World of Sports Complex is the home of the Atlanta Braves spring training program. It also hosts the Chelsea Football Club, the Varsity All-Star Cheerleading competition and the Walt Disney World Marathon. This is a great addition to the Walt Disney World attractions. Who knows what other sports technology they’ll come up with next?

We have been blogging a lot about the great Halloween activities going on in the Orlando theme parks. Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party, Halloween Horror Nights, Howl-O-Scream and even Gatorland’s Gator Wood are all wonderful events you can go to for some scary fun. But there are a lot of people that don’t celebrate Halloween that still travel to Orlando during the beautiful fall months. So what are they to do? If you want high-quality entertainment but don’t want your personal beliefs offended because of certain Halloween imagery, why not enjoy the costumes, music and imagery of Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba?

La Nouba is Orlando’s permanent Cirque du Soleil show located in Downtown Disney’s West Side. The beautiful theatre was built specifically for this show that brings in thousands of Cirque du Soleil fans a year. La Nouba, which means “to party, to live it up,” features 65 artists from 15 different countries performing in beautiful acrobatic performances and circus-themed stunts. Like all Cirque du Soleil shows, amazing live singers back up a soundtrack that varies in musical genre. For La Nouba, jazz, hip-hop, opera and Klezmer music all fuse together for an amazing backdrop for the show which is set to look like a dream.

La Nouba features signature characters like every Cirque show. The Green Bird is a beautiful woman dressed in a bird costume that longs to fly with the acrobats of Cirque du Soleil. The Pierot Clown and the Lost Ballerina provide the romantic aspects of the show while Les Cons, the “silly people” dressed all in white, interact with the audience and serve as the liaison between the Cirque du Soleil show and the audience. You will be treated to amazing high-wire acts, flying trapeze work and the silk ballet, where beautiful dancers fly across the stage hanging on from long red curtains of shimmering silk.

The Cirque show runs Tuesday through Saturday at 6pm and 9pm. They are a great way to enjoy Orlando attractions during the Halloween months without impeding on any personal beliefs. So don’t hold back and come check out a Cirque du Soleil show!

There are many tours you can take at the Walt Disney World Resort, from behind the scenes-themed to character meet and greets. That is the great thing about the Walt Disney World Resort, you can always choose to be in the magic or find out how they make the magic from behind the scenes. While there are some places that are off limits in the Disney theme parks, the people at Disney still try to give guests as many behind the scenes experiences as they can. One of those great tours is “The Magic Behind Our Steam Train” tour.

It’s no secret Walt Disney loved trains. He was always building models and they were a huge influence when designing Disneyland and Disneyworld. Over at the brand new Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco you can see a model of one of Walt’s favorite trains, the most famous being the Lily Belle. But right here in the Magic Kingdom, this special tour will let you enter the park before everyone else does for a three hour tour that will have you meeting one-on-one with Disney’s train engineers. The Backstage Roundhouse will be the first stop on your tour. This is where the trains are stored. At the Magic Kingdom we have the Lily Belle, the Roy O. Disney, the Roger E. Broggie and the Walter E. Disney. All of the trains are antiques, “meticulously” restored by Disney’s Imagineers.

After you learn all about the trains’ inner-workings from your engineer and tour guide, you will then get a chance to ride around the Magic Kingdom as you continue to learn about Walt Disney’s love of trains and how they influenced the Disney parks. This tour is outside, so make sure you plan well according to weather. It’s a great choice for the upcoming cooler months. You have to be 10 or older in order to participate and you have to purchase an admission to the park before taking the tour, so get your discount Disney ticket beforehand! If you’re a train enthusiast this is the perfect tour for you.

The holiday movie season is fast approaching and both Walt Disney fans and the news media are buzzing about The Princess and The Frog. Not only does this movie mark Disney’s return to hand-drawn 2D animation, but it heralds the arrival of Disney’s first black princess, Princess Tiana. Hints of merchandise have already come out including pictures of the adorable Princess Tiana doll and promotional “fortune cards” that go with the voodoo and magic theme incorporated in the New Orleans-based story.

The Princess and the Frog brings together the winning creative team that brought us classics like Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. With gorgeous animation and a variety of jazz-infused songs that are sure to get stuck in your head, Disney is hoping the magic of 2D animation returns with the re-telling of this classic fairytale. But until the movie’s holiday release, both Walt Disney World and Disneyland are gearing up for a series of promotional events to let everyone know Disney is ready for a new princess—and they want you to be too!

One of the first things the Disney company did was formally introduce the Princess Tiana cast member to the press. While she is voiced by Anika Noni Rose, a Tiana cast member will now appear at both Disney parks in California and Florida, greeting fans of all ages and races in her elegant princess dress and crown. Herown “Prince Charming” is the frog-turned-human Prince Naveen, who will also be making appearances and signing autographs for fans of the movie starting this fall.

Tiana will officially be introduced into the princess merchandise lineup in early 2010 after the movie’s release, and then we will see her next to Aurora, Jasmine, Cinderella and all of the other princesses in Disney’s products. As for events at the Disney theme parks, fans can expect to see Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee for the 2009 holiday season. This promotional show will debut at Disney World on October 26, 2009 and will run through January 3, 2010.

Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee will be a “Mardi Gras-style” musical show that utilizes the gorgeous Liberty Belle show boat in Frontierland next to the Haunted Mansion attraction. The show begins with a procession of jazz musicians heading over to the Liberty Belle as the crowds follow along to the docks. Once there, a small group of pre-selected guests will be selected to board the Liberty Belle with characters from the movie including Tiana and Naveen as the boat then takes off performing songs from the feature’s soundtrack along the river.

With all of these great promotional events going on at the Disney theme parks, The Princess and The Frog is going to be a hit this holiday season. Princess Tiana’s reign has only just begun!

This week marks the 15th anniversary of Disney Hollywood Studios Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror thrill ride. This ride, popular with the thrill seeking crowd, was inspired by the renowned 1960’s sci-fi/horror series of the same name. Sci-fi genius Rod Serling created the show which featured weekly episodes covering a variety of topics. His writing was considered ahead of his time, as he touched on many political and social issues that many in the conservative era didn’t want to cover on American television.

The series earned Serling his legendary status and launched Twilight Zone spinoffs and movies, none that were ever as popular as the original series. You can still catch the show on reruns and holiday television marathons. There is certainly no lack of Twilight Zone fans—even within the Disney Imagineers themselves. When Disney Hollywood Studios (then called MGM Studios) was opened, it was done primarily to compete with Universal Studios and to alleviate some of the budget costs EPCOT was experiencing. Disney wanted to bring the Hollywood experience to its guests, and the park evolved into what it is today.

Originally, there were plans for a Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” hotel that would include the haunted factor mixed in with Mel Brooks’ comedy influence. But after Brooks left Disney, Imagineers were left with the desire to build some sort of hotel-themed attraction. This is where The Twilight Zone came in. They decided to incorporate elements from the sci-fi television classic into the attraction’s design. Imagineers decided the ride would focus on five travelers who disappeared when their elevator was struck by lightning on Halloween Night. Some of the television show’s memorabilia was brought into the waiting area of the Tower of Terror, including Meredith Burgess’ broken glasses from the classic episode “Time Enough At Last.”

While on the ride, you travel through the hallways of the Hollywood Tower Hotel as the impersonated voice of Rod Serling (done by Mark Silverman) narrates what happened to those five guests. Once you reach the end of this hallway, two doors open to reveal the Disney Hollywood Studios park below before you plummet at speeds of 39 mph. When the attraction opened, riders only had to experience the 13 story drop once. This has since changed, as with each anniversary or special promotion, Disney changes the drop pattern.

Now when you visit Disney Hollywood Studios to ride the Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror, you’ll have no idea what to expect. You might drop one time or you might drop three times; the only way to find out is to ride it yourself—so hold on tight!

One Mans Dream, an exhibit at Disney Hollywood Studios documenting the life of Walt Disney and his legacy through photos, artifacts, and film, is a longtime favorite of park-goers at Walt Disney World. Located in the Animation Courtyard area of the park, this museum-like attraction takes guests on a trip through time from Disney’s 1901 birth in Chicago to his creation of some of the most innovative inventions and visions that still continue to touch us today. And just as Disney’s dreams come to life, the parks, keep improving, One Man’s Dream has gotten a fresh makeover thanks to D23, a new Disney community created especially for fans.

Now sporting a sign on its marquee that reads, “D23 Welcomes You,” the exhibit’s change of hands to D23 signals that One Man’s Dream will now celebrate the fans, who are equally important to the Disney legacy.

“D23 is the ultimate Disney fan community and One Man's Dream is the ultimate attraction tribute to Walt Disney in our parks, so they fit together perfectly,” explained Eric Jacobson, senior vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering, whose team thought of partnering with D23 on the endeavor. “One Man's Dream showcases the history of Walt Disney and The Walt Disney Company and gives our Guests a look at what is new around the world and a sneak peak at what's coming. D23 has a similar mission for its members.”

But the result of this partnership isn’t just the addition of a new sign. Along with new D23 theming, the exhibit will now offer a new display case featuring the room of a Disney fan, adding to the extensive collection of Disney history on display.

The new display case features items that have been pulled from the Walt Disney Archives, but which are real pieces a Disney fan might own. There’s the Ultimate WALL·E, a “Treasures of the Archives” lithograph, and the five-Mickey pin set, which was the very first Walt Disney Archives Collection item.

“Plus, a lot of the books are favorites for us in the Archives, like Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, The Disney Poster Book, and of course from the Disney Archives, Disney A to Z by our very own Dave Smith!” said Becky Cline, manager of the Walt Disney Archives and a D23 team member.

Other artifacts from the Archives on display in One Man’s Dream include Jimmie Dodd's Mouseguitar from the 1955 Mickey Mouse Club, original props from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Walt Disney's working office, in addition to his second-grade school desk.

You don’t need to be a D23 member to enjoy the exhibit, but if you’re interested in joining, a one-year charter membership costs $74.99. Members receive the special Disney Twenty-Three quarterly publication, a membership card and certificate, a surprise collectible gift, offers for exclusive special events and merchandise throughout the year, a subscription to the bi-weekly D23 FanFare e-newsletter, and an invitation to the D23 Expo, the ultimate Disney fan convention taking place in Anaheim, California on September 10, 2009.

Many Disney fans, however, will instead opt to visit the One Man’s Dream exhibit, a fascinating collection of Disney history that really puts a day at Walt Disney World in perspective. After all, it all started with a mouse.

So be sure to check out the new additions to Hollywood Studios’ One Man’s Dream, a great attraction for any Disney fan. Book your Walt Disney World tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com, and you’ll be on your way to stepping inside one great man’s world.

Sure, it is easy to easy to sit in front of the TV and vote (or boo) for the performers on stage during American Idol. But actually performing in front of a live audience is no picnic, and that’s a challenge Walt Disney World guests can experience for themselves at the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Though it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a lot of fun, performing on stage can be nerve-wracking, especially when there’s a Dream Ticket on the line. So, Disney rounded up some American Idol experts at the premiere of the American Idol Experience and asked them to give their best tips for a great Idol performance.

Ace Young summed up his winning formula. “You pick a song that you love, that you enjoy, that you can’t forget the lyrics to, and you’re good to go,” said the season 5 finalist.

“Perform in front of a mirror – it can help you out a lot to see what you look like before you let everyone else see what you look like,” offered Bucky Covington, season 5 finalist.

When it comes to nerves, the finalists agree it’s important not to let them wreak havoc on your performance. A few of them offered some suggestions for keeping stage fright under control.

“Make sure you take deep breaths, because when you get nervous you never know what’s gonna happen,” said Kimberly Locke, season 2 finalist.

“I think the trick is you have to use the nerves,” said Mandisa, season 5 finalist. “You just kind of channel it into adrenaline. You get out there, and especially if you’re doing an upbeat song, nerves can actually work in your favor.”

And one genuine Idol expert, judge Paula Abdul, emphasized the importance of being unique.

“Find your own unique sound – don’t be a sound-alike – no karaoke, we’ve got every Mariah, we’ve got Whitney, we’ve got Christina. We need original people,” said Abdul.

Fantasia Barrino agreed, but said having fun and relaxing was also key.

“My tip is to be yourself and to have fun. You’re only human, and nobody’s perfect. Be yourself. And the gift that you have is something that God has given you, and everybody wants to hear it, so share it!” said the winner of Idol season 3.

“If you love to sing, and there’s certain songs – whatever, just get out there and do what you love, and show everyone how much you love it. That’ll make everything about 30 times better, it’ll be great,” Carrie Underwood, season 4 winner, added.

Season 7 winner David Cook echoed the sentiments of the winners before him. “It’s real easy to get caught up in the competition aspect of it but if you can kind of step back and realize you’re there to enjoy yourself, you’ll usually perform better that way.”

But in the end, getting the audiences’ votes and the golden ticket often comes down to one thing, eloquently phrased by a season 7 finalist.

“Sing real good,” said Jason Castro with a grin.

Those who sing the best will earn the coveted Dream Ticket, which provides a front-of-the-line pass at a regional American Idol audition. Anyone ages 14 and up can participate in the American Idol Experience, which starts with an open audition in front of a Hollywood Studios casting director early in the day. Those with the most star potential will get to perform in one of seven preliminary shows, with the chance of performing in a talent-packed finale at night.

To try out your talent and test the Idols’ advice, get your Walt Disney World tickets today at OrlandoFunTickets.com.

With four theme parks and over 35 years of history behind it, there is so much to learn about Walt Disney World. And even if you’ve been to the parks a thousand times, chances are there’s still plenty of interesting Disney World facts you may have never heard before. So in honor of one of our favorite Orlando theme parks (or rather, several), here’s a sprinkling of Disney knowledge to brighten your day.


Spaceship Technologies

It’s no secret that Spaceship Earth at Epcot possesses one of the coolest architectural designs in the country. Designed with the help of science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, the park icon is a geodesic globe made out of more than 10,000 isosceles triangles, and it opened along with Epcot in 1982. However, did you know that when it rains, not a drop of water running through Spaceship Earth’s grooves actually falls to the ground? The cladding was designed so that when it rains, all the water is absorbed through one-inch gaps in the facets and collected in a gutter system – which eventually is channeled right into the World Showcase Lagoon. Neat, huh?

Disney’s No Dummy

When Disney was first acquiring the property for Walt Disney World as we know it today, the company used various dummy corporations to avoid a burst of land speculation. The first five-acre lot was bought in 1964 by the “Ayefour Corporation,” a subtle pun on Interstate 4. Other interestingly named and secretly Disney-owned lot purchasers included “M.T. Lott Real Estate Investments” – get it? Empty lot!

Royally Cool Construction

Cinderella’s Castle, the iconic figure of Magic Kingdom, was inspired by several French castles. Completed in 1971 after 18 months of construction, the castle reaches a height of 189 feet. However, an optical trick called forced perspective makes it look much larger than it really is. As you proceed to look up at the castle, the proportions get smaller the higher up it gets, making the castle look taller. Also, despite appearances, no bricks were used in the castle’s construction. Two of the spires, however, were built using actual gold and gold leaf.

Hidden Mickeys

Sure, you can find Mickey Mouse in any number of Disney parades every afternoon, such as the Mickey’s Jammin Jungle Parade at Animal Kingdom. But did you know that Mickey’s famous round head and two round ears can be spotted all over the Disney parks in random, secret places? Called Hidden Mickeys, these little stamps can be seen in restaurants, on the sidewalk, on the art of attractions, and even on parade vehicles. Keep your eyes peeled for a broccoli Mickey in the Body Wars mural in Epcot, for a row of hidden Mickey railings underneath a window at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Tower of Terror, and for a Mickey at the center of the manhole covers at all of the parks.

If you want to learn more about your favorite Disney theme park, one of the best and most fun ways to do that is to visit! Score your Walt Disney World tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a Disney expert.

As the American Idol Experience gets ready for its official launch on February 14 at Walt Disney World, the new attraction that simulates all aspects of the beloved reality show is currently in preview form at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And while the attraction is being fine-tuned, we at OrlandoFunTickets.com were able to check out the fun in a special sneak preview.

If you’re unfamiliar with the American Idol Experience, it’s a new attraction developed by Disney Imagineers in conjunction with the producers of the hit TV show American Idol. Perfectly in cue with Hollywood Studios, the Experience immerses guests in the authentic feel of a live Idol performance and results show.

Like the FOX show, The American Idol Experience takes everyday people visiting the park and gives them a chance at being a star through daily auditions. If Disney decides a guest has that special “star quality,” he or she goes on to perform at one of seven preliminary shows that day.

We were on hand for one of those shows in the park’s ABC Theater, which has been beautifully redesigned to look just like the American Idol stage, twirling neon signs and all. TV screens on the left and right provide close-ups of the happenings in the theater, a large screen at center provides unique footage during the show, and another screen behind the audience provides lyrics to the performers.

As the show begins, you’ll feel like you’re really on set for the taping of a live show; a friendly, energetic performer comes out at first to warm up the crowd and provide voting instructions. Meanwhile, camera operators weave seamlessly through the theater capturing different angles of the show. And, as things kicks off, three judges and a host (sorry ladies, it’s not Ryan Seacrest) come out to make the Experience complete.

The best part of the American Idol Experience and what makes it different from any other Disney attraction is the amount of guest involvement. In the Experience, Disney guests really are the star of the show; a fun or especially talented performer can capture the crowd and create Disney magic on stage. Similarly, the audience is heavily involved in all aspects of the show, and their enthusiasm (or lack of it) can make or break the Experience.

Overall, the American Idol Experience is cute, fun, and possesses nearly all the qualities of the TV show. Disney’s famous attention to detail is definitely present; for example, the judges table has three Coca Cola cups on it, just like in the show. And though the judges might not be as entertaining as Randy, Paula, and Simon, the involvement of some famous American Idols in the show mostly makes up for the trio’s absence.

If you plan to vie for stardom at the American Idol Experience, head to the park early and be ready to sing a 30-90 second snippet of a song. If Disney staff decides you have what it takes, you’ll audition again in front of a casting director. And if you make it past that, you’ll be taken to hair and makeup and receive a one-on-one session with a vocal coach before hitting the stage for a preliminary show. To audition, you must be age 14 or older. The performers with the most votes in each preliminary all go on to compete in the final performance of the day at 7 pm; the winner of that performance will receive the coveted Dream Ticket, which provides a skip in line and a guaranteed audition at an actual American Idol stadium audition (an American Idol audition FastPass; if you will).

To check out the American Idol Experience and be part of someone’s journey to stardom (or start your own!), don’t miss the attraction’s debut on February 14. Start preparing for your close-up now by getting your Walt Disney World tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com.

It started with the closing of Pleasure Island last year; then, T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover opened, creating a whole new standard for Disney dining. With all these changes, visitors might be wondering what’s going on at Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resort’s beloved shopping, dining and entertainment hub. Well, this famous Disney attraction that’s a popular favorite among tourists is getting a little bit of a makeover, with new restaurants and all-new attraction set to draw crowds later this year.

Since Downtown Disney has always been a free place for visitors to walk, shop, and spend a leisurely afternoon, guests will be surprised to learn that in the spring, Downtown Disney will get its very own iconic attraction in the form of a giant tethered balloon. Not much is known about this aerial ride that, for now, is simply known as Aerophile. But the word from Disney is that it will take guests 300 feet into the air from the waterfront. With a volume of 210,000 cubic feet of lighter-than-air gas, the 72-foot-diameter balloon will lift up to 30 guests at a time on a six-minute trip by day or night, giving them an unparalleled, 360-degree view of up to 10 miles.

Adding to the fun will be a new Downtown Disney restaurant, a high-energy eatery and bar from E-Brands Restaurant Group. There’s no official word on the name yet, but we can expect to see an international wine bar, a tequila bar with more than 50 kinds of tequila, and 10 signature frozen margaritas. This new dining spot will also be located on the waterfront and will be open daily until late into the evening with nightly entertainment.

The new additions will certainly fill help to fill a bit of a hole at Downtown Disney, which has developed ever since Pleasure Island closed back in late September, after close to 20 years in operation. Reportedly, Disney was responding to guest feedback asking for more family-friendly experiences. Pleasure Island featured nightclubs like the Adventurer’s Club, Comedy Warehouse 8 Traxx, Motion, Mannequins, and BET Sound Stage.

While Disney reinvents Pleasure Island with a new slew of dining, shopping, and other unique features, Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant, Fuego by Sosa Cigars, Curl by Sammy Duval, and Orlando Harley-Davidson will still be open to visitors.

So far, Downtown Disney’s newest additions include Disney’s new Design-A-Tee store presented by Hanes, which we recently reported on, and T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure. T-Rex combines dining with entertainment, allowing kids to learn and play in an interactive prehistoric environment built around water, fire, ice. Both places are part of a recent trend in Disney stores, restaurants, and attractions to provide interactive entertainment, where the guest can be an integral part of the fun.

We’ll keep you posted on all the latest developments at one of Walt Disney World’s most beloved spots, Downtown Disney. And in the meantime, don’t forget to check out all the fun at other Disney theme parks like Magic Kingdom and Epcot – you can find discount Disney tickets right here at OrlandoFunTickets.com.

One of our favorite places in Walt Disney World to eat, shop, and spend a leisurely afternoon, Downtown Disney is like a mega metropolis of fun. Filled with restaurants, unique shops, and live entertainment, this attraction draws hundreds of visitors every day. And soon, Downtown Disney is about to get even better with a new high-tech store that will allow guests to customize their clothing.

In a grand opening ceremony on January 9th, Walt Disney World launched balloons, confetti cannons, and unveiled a giant T-shirt cake in celebration of its newest store, Disney’s Design-A-Tee Presented by Hanes. The first of its kind, this interactive T-shirt design and printing store located at the Downtown Disney Marketplace will enable guests to create unique vacation tee shirts with limitless design capabilities.

Using one of eight state-of-the-art kiosks with touch-screens, guests will be able to customize a long-sleeve or short-sleeve T-shirt in multiple colors by choosing from more than 300 art selections of Disney animation and movie characters. Make a green Tinkerbell shirt or a red Pirates of the Caribbean tee – the design is up to you! Guests can also add a unique message or logo of up to four lines to their tee using a wide selection of type fonts and colors. If you can’t think of any particular message you want your tee to convey, previously programmed messages are also available to choose from.

Disney’s Design-A-Tee is the latest product of the collaboration between Walt Disney World and Hanes Brands, Inc. In 2007, the clothing maker signed a deal to become the official T-shirt supplier at Disney World.

Once guests have designed their unique tee, the design is electronically sent to the store’s printing machine. Shirts at Disney’s Design-A-Tee are printed on site and take about 15 minutes to make, although the wait may be longer if the store is busy. Guests can watch the creation of their tee via video screens while they wait, or they can opt to pick them up later or have them delivered. You can make one T-shirt just for you, or produce multiples of the same design to share with friends, family, or perhaps a club or team. Prices range from about $20 to $30.

Tee-lovers can find the Design-A-Tee shop next to the Art of Disney store at the east end of Downtown Disney. Downtown Disney is home to the Downtown Disney Marketplace, featuring the largest Disney character store in the world, and Downtown Disney West Side, featuring top-notch restaurants, theaters, shows, and one-of-a-kind amusement, including Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba. Be sure to plan a stop here during your next Disney vacation, and don’t forget your discount Disney tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com.

When vacationers and residents go to Walt Disney World to enjoy amazing parks like Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom, they obviously go for the rides, attractions, exhibits, parades, shows, shopping, dining, and of course, the amazing characters. (Did we forget anything?) And while that’s all good and fun, there’s a whole world of amazing things at Disney that many people miss out on – the road untraveled, as Robert Frost would call it. Here are a few cool activities and undiscovered gems that you might want to check out on your next trip to Walt Disney World.

See art from all over the world. Everyone knows that Epcot’s World Showcase is an interactive buffet of different countries, cultures, and cuisines. Most don’t know, however, that several countries in the showcase host museum-quality art galleries. Next time you tour the world at Epcot, stop by these exhibits, which are free with general park admission: The Vikings: Conquerors of the Seas at Norway, Tomb Warriors at China, “Tin Toy Stories” Made in Japan at Japan, and Gallery of Arts and History at Morocco.

Build your own roller coaster and ride it. In the DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park at Downtown Disney, CyberSpace Mountain allows guests to create their very own roller coaster. Bill Nye the Coaster Guy walks guests through the design process, which includes choosing speeds, settings, and track combinations. When you’re done, jump in a simulator and ride your creation in full 360-degree motion…if you dare!

Update your Mickey Mouse ears. No longer must guests of the parks be restricted to those plain, black Mickey ears of old. In today’s modern era, Mickey’s ears come in a whole variety of colors and styles to suit every personality in your family. Get sequined ears, pink veiled ears, patriotic themed ears, or even a bride and groom set. Ears are available throughout stores at Walt Disney World, and guests can even build and customize their own pair at The Chapeau on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom.

Take a dive and make a splash. Guests can dive into a 5.7 million-gallon indoor aquarium as part of DiveQuest at Epcot. Swim alongside more than 65 species of marine life, including sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and tropical fish. Guests even become part of the show, visible through the large acrylic windows at The Seas with Nemo & Friends. (Divers must be at least 10-years-old and have SCUBA certification).

Get a snazzy new hairstyle. Travel back to the days when barbershops were a neighborhood staple at the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street USA. Complete with a signature candy-striped pole outside, the shop provides good old-fashioned haircuts while entertaining with barbershop quartets. Kids can experience a special first haircut here, which includes pixie dust, bubbles, Mickey Mouse stickers, and a special set of Mouse Ears.

Next time you plan a Walt Disney World vacation, squeeze in some time for investigating the unknown. We guarantee you’ll have plenty of fun trying these and other “off the beaten path” activities at Disney theme parks. Since each park is huge, there are plenty of them – some that even we haven’t discovered yet. So check out discount Disney tickets today on OrlandoFunTickets.com and start exploring!

One of the best things about the holiday season is all of the delicious treats. From candy canes to gingerbread houses, there are plenty of seasonal snacks to satisfy your sweet tooth. And at Walt Disney World resorts, you’ll naturally find all kinds of incredible holiday desserts, such as carousels and trains. Wait – you say carousels and trains aren’t edible? Well, stop by some of Disney’s resorts to see some fantastic holiday displays made out of gingerbread, candy, and other sugary goodness. These giant masterpieces of pastry are 100% edible. And though you might cause a scene if you start gnawing on one of them, they’re definitely a sweet sight to see.

One must-stop this holiday season is Disney’s Beach Club Resort, which features a giant gingerbread carousel in the hotel lobby every holiday season. Every visible part of this display is edible, from the gingerbread floor and canopy and sugar poinsettias to the chocolate and fondant horses and star anise and cinnamon accents. The carousel even features white chocolate figures of Mickey Mouse and his friends.

It took a team of pastry chefs ten hours to assemble the carousel, which required 96 pounds of flour, 36 pounds of honey, 50 pounds of dark chocolate, and 100 pounds of icing. The carousel is also made up of 2008 pieces of gingerbread, one for every year. And since this is the ninth year that Beach Club has put up its holiday carousel, there are nine hidden Mickeys in the display. Each year, an additional one is added. See if you can spot them all!

Equally impressive as the carousel is the life-sized gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. This huge piece of sugary real estate draws visitors every year as soon as it opens during November. The holiday centerpiece of the lobby along with a large Christmas tree, the gingerbread house requires even more ingredients than the carousel: 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 800 pounds of flour, 700 pounds of chocolate, and a whopping 1,050 pounds of honey. This is the tenth year that the Grand Floridian has put up this special display, which fills the resort’s lobby with the scent of gingerbread.

What’s most incredible about the almost entirely edible gingerbread house is that it’s actually a gingerbread shop! Guests can actually go inside the house and purchase gingerbread and chocolate cookies, lollipops, gingerbread ornaments, chocolate Disney characters, and more. The Grand Floridian gingerbread house is open from 10 am to 10 pm.

Though it’s worth making a special trip to see the displays at the Grand Floridian and Beach Club resorts, each of the other Disney resorts is also featuring a special holiday display. At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, guests can see a gingerbread holiday village on the fourth floor. At Disney’s Polynesian Resort, the Ceremonial House features an exotic gingerbread village with volcanoes and edible palm trees. At Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, a 15-by-20-foot chocolate and gingerbread boardwalk display greets visitors with a five-foot-tall Ferris wheel and carousel. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boma-Flavors of Africa is featuring an entirely edible miniature African village. And at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, a miniature gingerbread train races around a sugar mountain village in the lobby.

If you’re hankering for something sweet on the eyes this holiday, be sure to stop at Disney Resorts to take in the phenomenal holiday displays and maybe even buy a gingerbread house of your own. Each resort features its own unique holiday decorations and is a great attraction to visit after a day at the Disney theme parks.

Joining the Richard Petty Driving Experience on the one mile paved Walt Disney World Speedway track is the Indy Racing Experience, having opened on November 17th. Now race fans and thrill seekers will have the chance to drive and ride in actual Indianapolis 500 race cars for an experience like no other.

After suiting up in authentic driver fire suits and being strapped in by the Indy Racing Experience pit crew, guests will have the opportunity to drive a two-seat Indy Racing car especially customized for the experience. Stretched out in the two-seat car, guests can also experience the g-forces of racecar driving as the car is driven by a professional racer.

The four Dallara cars at the Indy Racing Experience have been fitted with 1.8 liter six-cylinder Honda engines, which are less powerful than the racing league cars, but otherwise, exactly the same. Drivers can even hit speeds close to 100 mph, since the open-cockpit cars weight half as much as a 2009 Toyota Corolla. And with the unique design of the Walt Disney World Speedway track, a tri-oval with three uniquely banked corners and elevation changes, both drivers and riders are sure to find the Indy Racing Experience a thrill.

Though this tourist attraction is pricey, fans say it’s worth every penny. For $109 plus tax, passengers can go along for a ride, and for $399, customers can get behind the wheel and feel the excitement of driving an IndyCar Series car. The ride-along experience lasts three laps, while the driving experience consists of 1 warm-up lap, 6 laps at speed, and 1 cool-down lap.

Normally, the Experience travels with the Indy Racing Leagues. And though the company will continue to do that, there’s a good chance Orlando will become its permanent home.

“Since we first began the Indy Racing Experience [in 2001], fans have traveled the globe to feel firsthand what it is like to race around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - the Racing Capital of the World. Millions of people also descend on the Orlando area annually for its renowned attractions, including Walt Disney World, so we feel our Indy Racing Experience is both a unique and fitting addition to this exciting landscape,” said Scott Jasek, co-owner of the Indy Racing Experience.

The Indy Racing Experience will be sharing the track with the Richard Petty Driving Experience, which offers rides in stock cars (discount Richard Petty Driving Experience tickets are still available at OrlandoFunTickets.com). Both attractions are open to guests on a first-come, first-serve basis, and drivers are required to be at least 18 years old. Don’t miss a chance to enjoy the rush and adrenaline of the Indy Racing Experience near Magic Kingdom!

When you are not experiencing the rides or chasing your little one as he chases after Mickey, you should definitely take a moment to relax and enjoy one of the many world-class spas Disney has to offer. After all – it is your vacation too!

Spa treatments are available in many of the Disney resorts, including the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Coronado Springs Resort in the Disney's Animal Kingdom area, the Boardwalk Inn and Yacht Club Resort in the Epcot area, and the Contemporary Resort and Wilderness Lodge Resort in the Disney's Magic Kingdom area. However, if you want to treat yourself to a special, out-of-this-world spa experience, definitely check out the Mandara Spa at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, or Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.

At the Mandara Spa, you can choose any one of a 100 different treatments in this Balinese-inspired haven. Soak in your very own hydrotherapy Jacuzzi and have warm river stones rolled across your skin; have your skin nurtured by an exotic coconut rub and milk ritual wrap. And to cap off your spa experience, be sure to relax in the tea garden or meditation temple after getting yourself done up in the nail and hair salon.

If you have the teens in tow, don’t fret – Mandara also offers a unique YSpa just for them. Teens can enjoy one of the many treatments specially designed for teen skin and hair – whether it’s the Fabulous Fruity Facial or a Stylin’ Hair Session. The family can even bond at Mandara’s YSpa with special mom and daughter and father and son body treatments.

And at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, ranked one of the best in the United States, guests can experience all the luxury and class that the Disney flagship resort has to offer. Feel the stress of work just melt away with a Bamboo Harmony Massage, a Lavender Vanilla Aromatherapy Bath, or a Detoxifying Body Wrap. The spa also offers special facial, hand, and foot treatments, of course, and if you want to experience a variety of what the spa has to offer, we recommend selecting one of the packages. You can choose an energizing, relaxing, detoxifying, or rejuvenating package – just to name a few!

And if you feel guilty about leaving the kids with a sitter, the Grand Floridian Spa also offers mini-treatments for children ages 4-12 – so even they can get in on the fun and relaxation. They can learn about proper skin care with a My First Facial treatment, or get a mini-massage, manicure, or pedicure. In the meantime, couples can relax together with one of the special couples massage sessions. Receive one together, or sign up for the Couples Instructional Massage, where you’ll learn how to create your own romantic spa experience at home.

Finally, at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, you’ll find an atmospheric recreation of the healing spas in Saratoga Springs, New York. The spa offers the ultimate in relaxing treatments, from the Adirondack Stone Facial to the Polaris Spring Hydro-Massage, both unique to the Saratoga Springs spa. Kids 4-12 can enjoy their first facial here as well, and mommies-to-be can receive the extra care and attention they need with a special massage therapy.

Best yet, when your day at the spa is done, you can take some of it with you to relive the experience at home; at the Saratoga Springs Spa boutique, you can get their signature Mystical Forest Bath & Body Collection, Amala Skin Care products, and Bath Products and Spa Apparel.

So during your next Disney World vacation, be sure to take advantage of all the Disney experience has to offer – it’s not all fun and games, you know. It’s relaxation and luxury with any one of Disney’s fabulous spas.