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Laughs Coming Back at the All-New IMPROV!
 It has been two years since Orlando lost their IMPROV comedy club, and while visitors have still been able to entertain themselves at the Orlando theme parks there’s nothing like enjoying some good food and great laughs. Thanks to Pointe Orlando, comedy fans will once again be able to enjoy live music, amazing food and the hottest comedy acts from across the nation five nights a week at the brand new IMPROV. The menu is going to be centered on Louisiana Creole cuisine with a Gulf Coast/Louisiana-French style of cooking. You can look forward to chowing down on catfish, southern fried chicken and “n’awlins” barbecue ribs or lighter foods like salads. You can check out the full menu on the IMPROV’s website, but it’s still being developed as the club gets ready to re-open. If you’ve never been to Pointe Orlando, it’s a wonderful outdoor group of shops and restaurants that offer everything from casual dining and shopping to the ultimate in luxury items and food. They already have great restaurants like The Oceanaire Seafood Room and Cuba Libre restaurant and rum bar. You can also shop at stores like Bath & Body Works, Armani Exchange and Hollister. For entertainment they have BB King’s Blues Club and a great IMAX theatre where you can catch the latest hit flicks, but once the IMPROV opens up in February of 2010 you will be able to stop by for some amazing comedy stars. We haven’t heard of any upcoming acts just yet, but we’re sure the name dropping will begin a little later in the year or right at the start of the New Year in January of 2010. If you’re currently in the area and looking for nightlife options don’t forget you can check out Universal CityWalk for great shops, bars and nightclubs. CityWalk is located within walking distance of both Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. It’s always great to check out the parks during the day and head over to City Walk to relax for the night and enjoy some cocktails and a great dinner. So keep an eye out for news on the IMPROV and until then check out CityWalk! Labels: comedy, Orlando Attractions, orlando dinner shows, Orlando Events, pointe orlando
Florida Tuskers Bring the UFL to Orlando
 Orlando is a great city for sports. We have our Orlando Magic basketball team and are within driving distance of a number of other sports teams. Many Orlando citizens are fans of the Florida Gators, but considering our only professional team is the Magic, we could use some football! Not everyone is willing to drive down to Miami to catch a Dolphins game (if they’re even Dolphins fans) and now they won’t have to. The United Football League was founded in 2009 to bring football to close knit communities looking for alternative ways to fill their craving for the national American past time. The UFL consists of only four teams: the California Redwoods, the Las Vegas Locomotives, the New York Sentinels and the Florida Tuskers. The league is small and has been bashed by most of the football critics on the net, claiming it to be nothing more than a league of NFL rejects, but the UFL begs to differ. “Where Future Stars Come to Play” is their motto and considering plenty of the UFL’s players come from universities across the US, they could be right on the money. Two of our very own Florida Tuskers, Dexter Jackson and Eric Powell, come from Florida State University. The Tuskers’ coach Jim Haslett was the former coach of the New Orleans Saints and helped them win their second NFC West Division Championship. Although he is excited about the Tuskers he understands the crowd draw might not be the biggest. In a recent interview with the Orlando Sentinel, Haslett mentioned poor marketing as one of the downfalls. “The disappointing thing is the marketing. I didn't think the marketing was very good in the area. I know this area loves football and I think…maybe if they'd have done more in the area… we'd have had 20,000 people show up for a game. But, you know what, being a premiere season, we've put a good product out and hopefully the league will stay and people will show up to the games." The Florida Tuskers play over at the Citrus Bowl and Tropicana Field. Considering they won their first game against the New York Sentinels 35-13, the Tuskers are off to a good start. Hopefully the league spreads the word and helps Orlando get into the Tuskers spirit! Labels: football in orlando, Orlando Events, sports in orlando
Disney Gets into Christmas Spirit Early
 Disney is going for a double-hitter this holiday season. Not only are they releasing The Princess and the Frog, they are also releasing their version of A Christmas Carol. Starring Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, and Colin Firth, the film was directed by award-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis. In order to promote the movie, Disney will be sending a custom-made vintage replica train around the nation to bring the Disney’s A Christmas Carol experience to 40 cities in 36 states. This is a great activity for families of all ages and best of all it’s free! Everyone is going through tough times in this economy and this special Disney event is a great way to experience the Disney magic without having to fork over any cash. This train tour will be both a moving museum and theatre. Dolby will be providing Dolby Digital 3D Cinema for people that visit the touring exhibit to get an exclusive sneak peek at Disney’s A Christmas Carol on DP2000 digital projection. Along with getting the sneak preview of the movie, the exhibit will feature authentic artifacts from the Charles Dickens Museum of London. Artwork, props and costumes will be featured along with contests to win HP computers and wireless printers. As you explore the wonderful exhibit you will be surrounded by 'snow,' carolers and Christmas decorations. Dick Cook, the chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, thinks this is a great way to introduce families to the upcoming film. " Disney's A Christmas Carol Train Tour is an incredibly fun way to introduce families across the country to the wonders and spectacle that is Robert Zemeckis' unique and spectacular new holiday film…From Los Angeles to New York, and all points in between, guests are going to have a fabulous time discovering things about the making of this extraordinary film, participating in their own festive fantasies, and getting into the holiday spirit all year round. Disney's A Christmas Carol is great entertainment for moviegoers of all ages, and this is the perfect introduction to a fun and exciting new holiday classic." Along with The Princess and the Frog this is going to be a great movie year for Disney. We can’t wait to see both films. Labels: Disney, disney events, movies, Orlando Events, special events
St. Patrick's Day Fun at Walt Disney World
 Tomorrow is St. Patricks Day, and thousands of people here in Orlando will be celebrating the luck of the Irish with green-tinged festivities and raucous parties. Depending on where you go, however, the celebrations can sometimes get a little too out of control, especially for those who are on vacation in Orlando with family in tow. So what do you do if you want to show your Irish pride but want a casual and family-friendly St. Patty’s celebration? You visit Walt Disney World, of course, which is a fun place to celebrate any event, especially Ireland’s national holiday. First, a great place to stop by during St. Patrick’s Day for a casual dinner or a bit of live entertainment is Ragland Road Irish Pub, located in Downtown Disney. This charming and laid-back restaurant perfectly evokes a classic neighborhood Irish pub with its custom-made furnishings and delicately carved woodwork straight from Ireland. In addition, Ragland Road’s classic Irish fare is savory and soothing, with dishes like creamy colcannon soup, fish n’ chips, and beef stew with a touch of Guinness. Irish celebrity chef Kevin Donlan heads up the kitchen, and you’ll be transported back to the Emerald Isles with every bite. The entertainment at Ragland Road’s is particularly fun – every night, the pub lights up with dancing and live music from a foot-stomping Irish band. You just might find yourself participating in a jig if you’re not careful! And with a strictly enforced no-smoking policy and a seating area especially set aside for parties with small children, Ragland’s is a decent environment for a family dinner. But if you come with friends, you’ll find that the pints are fresh and plentiful. On St. Patrick’s Day, the restaurant should be particularly lively as it usually holds a fairly big celebration every year. And revelers will find the rest of Pleasure Island will also be turning green with “Sham Rock ‘n’ Roll” festivities, featuring live music by Irish artists, leprechauns, and green specialty beverages. Before or after dinner, stopping by the parks is a must, of course, and we especially recommend Epcot, where you’ll be sure to see plenty of other Irish Disney fans decked out in green. Best yet, if you didn’t arrive to the park decked out in your holiday gear, you can stock up at the United Kingdom pavilion’s shops with St. Patrick’s Day Mickey shirts, plush leprechaun Mickey’s, and St. Patrick’s Day themed Mickey mugs. St. Patty’s Day merchandise can also be found at Ye Old Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom. When it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or any other special holiday or event, you’ll be sure to have a blast at Walt Disney World, which has a park, attraction, and restaurant that’s perfect for every occasion. Start preparing for your St. Patrick’s Day festivities by getting Walt Disney World tickets from OrlandoFunTickets.com, and you’ll be one lucky theme park-goer. Labels: Discount Disney Tickets, Holidays in Orlando, Orlando Events, Saint Patricks day
Sneak Peek of SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Bud & BBQ
 When the weather starts to warm up here in Florida, so does the entertainment at Orlando theme parks. Over at Universal Studios Orlando, the park is gearing up with its Mardi Gras: Let the Music Move You celebration, which is sure to offer three months of fun with a rockin’ lineup of star performers. However, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay aren’t content to be left behind – they’re putting on a Rockin’, Smokin’, Saucy, and Sweet party of their own with the 2009 Bud & BBQ at both parks. And we’ve got a special sneak peek on the entertainment for this event, which is sure to be an amazing rival to Universal Studios’ Mardi Gras as well as an additional fun option for vacationers. Bud & BBQ will take over SeaWorld and Busch Gardens each weekend from February 7th through March 1st. The event will present a zesty lineup of live performances by award-winning country and classic rock artists, with concerts every Saturday at SeaWorld and concerts every Sunday at Busch Gardens. At SeaWorld Orlando, the Bud & BBQ will kick off with a concert from Blake Shelton on February 7. Kenny Rogers will perform his classic hits on February 14 for a romantic and fun Valentine’s Day. Darryl Hall and John Oates will hit the stages on February 21, and Jason Aldean will perform on February 28. At Busch Gardens Tampa, guests will enjoy the stylings of Phil Vassar with opening act Josh Gracin on February 8, Gretchen Wilson on February 15, Miranda Lambert on February 22, and Greg Allman on March 1. In addition to great, live music, both 2009 Bud & BBQ’s will feature plenty of blazing barbecue and ice-cold Budweiser beer. It might also be one of the last times guests will be able to enjoy refreshing brews like Budweiser and Bud Light at the parks. The new owner of Busch Entertainment, AB In-Bev, is looking to sell off the theme park division of the company, separating it from its long-time association with the American beer producer, Anheuser-Busch. Therefore, this year’s Bud & BBQ will be a particularly special, can’t-miss event. So get ready for smokin’ hot food and fired-up music during the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens’ Bud & BBQ. It’s a great way to enjoy your favorite theme parks thrills, exhibits, and attractions along with some sizzling fun. Best yet, each concert is included with admission to SeaWorld or Busch Gardens, so there’s no excuse for missing out. Start planning your spicy theme park adventure by scoring discount SeaWorld and Busch Gardens tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com. Labels: busch entertainment, cheap busch gardens tickets, Discount SeaWorld Tickets, Orlando Events, Seaworld Orlando
December: Parade of Parades in Orlando
 The holidays are a great time to see things you can not see any other time of year; from incredible attractions at Orlando theme parks such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom to the Universal Studios’ Grinchmas, seasonal fun is around every corner. And during the month of December, you can literally see it walking down the street with several incredible parades. From Orlando to Winter Park, Florida is lighting up with these holiday and non-holiday-related city celebrations that you and the family should definitely not miss. The first parade to kick off the seasons this month is the 56th annual Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade in Winter Park. Presented by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, this yearly parade down Park Avenue showcases holiday themed floats and local figures with a special appearance by the man of the season himself, Santa Claus. The fun starts at 9 am at Canton Avenue and ends at approximately 10:30 am at Lyman Avenue. After the parade, be sure to enjoy Park Avenue’s incredible shops and the beautiful nearby city park. Next up is the Orlando award-winning Christmas Parade, which will feature a totally new look this year. Now a spectacular night parade and festival, “Light Up the Holidays” will feature twinkling floats and the sounds of eight local high school marching bands. The parade will also be filled with celebrities and stellar performances, starting with an opening performance by the cast of the Pirates Dinner Adventure. The event will be hosted by sound effect master Michael Winslow from the film Police Academy, who will narrate a cooking demonstration with Emeril’s Orlando Chef. The two-hour procession will circle Lake Eola Park starting at Robinson Street and Summerlin Avenue in Thornton Park. Lasting from 6 pm to 8 pm, the parade will be aired on ORANGE TV and WRDQ-TV 27 on December 20th. Accompanying the parade will be the Holiday in the Park festival at Lake Eola Park, featuring vendors, retailers, and entertainment. And as a prelude to the Champs Sports Bowl game on December 27th, Winter Park will host the 2nd annual Champs Sports Bowl Parade of Bands on December 26th at 2 pm. School bands and team mascots from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten Teams will march through downtown and along Park Avenue. After turning west on Garfield Avenue, they’ll perform a “Bandtastic Game Day Preview” in Central Park. Wrapping up the month of parades will be the 2008 Spherion Orlando Citrus Parade presented by Delta Air Lines on December 30th. Since 1999, this annual parade draws people from all over who come to see the unique vegetation-adorned floats. Only in the Citrus Parade can you see floats decorated with more than 100,000 oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines. This year, The Bachelor’s Chris Harrison and Extreme Makeover’s Paige Hemmis will cohost the annual parade, which features Olympic Gold Medalist Ryan Lochte as Grand Marshal and Grammy Award winner Scott Stapp singing the National Anthem. The parade will begin at 11 am at Orange and Robinson Avenue, turn on to South Street, and then end on Rosalind and Robinson Avenue in front of Lake Eola Park. All these great parades happen only once a year, so if you’re a resident or visiting town, you have to catch at least one. So pack a lunch, wear your sneakers, and get ready to see incredible floats, entertainment, and celebrities march down the streets of Orlando and Winter Park. Labels: Orlando Attractions, Orlando Events, orlando festivals
Santa Sightings: St. Nick Comes to Town
 The holiday season has arrived, and so has Santa Claus! Though you would think jolly old St. Nick would be too busy, with the holidays coming up and all, to take a vacation, he’s here in town enjoying the seasonal fun of Orlando – after all, the elves can take care of all the Christmas preparations. And everyone, from families to pets, can track Santa down as he stops at a few Orlando Florida locations to hear a Christmas wish or two. You’ll be able to meet the big man in red, pose for a picture with him, and even sit on his lap, at these Orlando spots. First, since Santa loves to shop for Orlando souvenirs, you can catch him at a few area malls. He’ll be stopping at the Mall at Millenia to take in the spectacular holiday decorations and pose with fans during mall hours (from 10 am to 9 pm on most days). Those who get their picture taken with Santa can opt for a candid color photo or a sepia-hued black and white photo, and every child who visits him receives a complimentary gift. You can also find Santa Claus at the Florida Mall and the Festival Bay Mall, where Santa will be available for pictures and even pets will be able to come and dress up with him on select nights. And since Santa Claus will be doing plenty of sight-seeing during his Orlando vacation, you can see him at different cities throughout the Orlando area. At Old Town in Kissimmee, Santa will be available for photographs Monday through Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm; you can even receive a complimentary photo with him when you make a $5.00 donation to benefit the children of Devereux, Florida. Santa will also be visiting Uptown Altamonte every Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 pm to hear the strolling carolers, as well as Downtown Celebration during its nightly Now Snowing celebration. And on December 13th, Santa will be seeing the animals at the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford, and guests can join him for breakfast or brunch (reservations required). In addition to all these spots, Santa will be stopping at Orlando theme parks during his vacation. You can catch him at Downtown Disney’s "Festival of the Seasons," where he’ll be posing with kids and pets alike from noon to 10 pm daily. However, if you happen to stop by Universal Studios during "Holiday Cheer You Can Only Hear Here" or Disney’s Magic Kingdom during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you just might also see Santa enjoying some holiday fun. Finally, you can see meet Santa at the Gaylord Palms Resort, where he’s staying during his holiday vacation. St. Nick will be visiting with fans in the convention center daily (hours vary), though shy visitors can also opt to send him an e-mail at a kiosk near the ICE! entrance. If you plan on catching Santa Claus in the parks, be sure to check out OrlandoFunTickets.com for discount theme park tickets. Otherwise, have fun catching Santa during his Orlando visit, and don’t be naughty, or he’ll know! Labels: Christmas Celebration, Holidays in Orlando, Orlando Attractions, Orlando Events, Santa Claus
Festival of the Seasons Arrives in Downtown Disney
 You can always rely on Downtown Disney to provide excitement, great shopping, dining, and unique entertainment. However, our favorite time of year to visit this Disney hotspot is when the Festival of the Seasons comes to town. From November 28th through December 24th, Downtown Disney fills with holiday cheer, hustle, and bustle as all the stores fill with unique holiday merchandise and holiday decorations dot the landscape. With all the dazzling lights and amazing holiday window displays, you’ll love just walking through all the Downtown Disney shops during the Festival. In addition to hosting a festive holiday atmosphere, the Festival of the Seasons will feature seasonal carolers, musical acts, and live entertainment on the streets throughout the month. Enjoy the sounds of school choirs performing at the Dock Stage, as well as DJ Dance Parties throughout the season. And at Downtown Disney’s West Side, strolling musicians and Tin Soldier stilt walkers will add to the merriment and revelry. And no holiday celebration is complete without Santa, who’ll be making daily appearances from noon to 10 pm. There’ll also be Santa previews from November 15th through November 27th, from 5 pm to 10 pm. Kids will be able to get their picture taken with Jolly Ole’ St. Nick at Santa’s Christmas Chalet, located near World of Disney. And if they’ve been good this year, leashed doggies can also pose with Santa – there’ll be a grassy area behind Once Upon a Toy and House of Blues where dogs can be walked. To get your photographs, follow the red-and-green reindeer hoofprints from Santa’s location to Guest Relations. With an incredible selection of shops at Downtown Disney, you’ll definitely find gifts for everyone on your Christmas list during the Festival of the Seasons. Holiday shopping has never been easier with The World of Disney Store, the world’s largest character emporium; Once Upon a Toy, filled with exclusive playthings from Disney and Hasbro; Virgin Megastore, an expansive musical playground; Team Mickey, the ideal place for Disney and brand-name sports gear; LEGO Imagination Center, a kid paradise with a vast array of LEGO play sets; and the Disney’s Days of Christmas holiday shop, which features Christmas merchandise all-year round. For a truly unique gift, you can also visit the Hoypoloi Gallery, which features hand-crafted holiday gifts, including pieces of Jewish art. When you’ve worked up an appetite from visiting all the Festival’s stores and seeing all the incredible displays, don’t forget to stop by Downtown Disney’s restaurants, which also get in on the Festival fun with delicious seasonal treats. Whether you like to shop, dine, or simply people-watch, the Festival of the Seasons is your must-stop destination during the holidays for a fun atmosphere of merriment and holiday cheer. No other place in Orlando manages to capture the holiday spirit that lingers in the air quite like Downtown Disney during the holidays. No matter what holiday you celebrate, you won’t help getting excited by all the Festival’s festivities. Labels: Downtown Disney, Holidays in Orlando, Orlando Events, orlando festivals
Orlando Museum of Art Transforms into Winter Wonderland
 As Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas draw closer, it is time to launch the holiday season and get into the spirit with some great Orlando holiday attractions. And though the Orlando theme parks are definitely one way to get into the holiday mood, we can’t forget about all the other attractions that this fantastic city has to offer. We especially recommend the Orlando Museum of Art, which transforms into a winter wonderland with its annual Festival of Trees celebration from November 15th through November 23rd. Featuring a locally-designed collection of trees, full-scale holiday displays, and gingerbread creations, the Festival of Trees is a fun and spirit-warming holiday exhibition. At the exhibit, you’ll enjoy various holiday-themed display sections, including specially decorated trees and wreaths in the Deck the Halls area, gingerbread masterpieces by local chefs of well-known hotels and restaurants in the Gingerbread Village, and art by Central Florida artists in the Art on the Wall area. Some of the trees and wreaths have been decorated by art students at The Geneva School in Winter Park, who have created colorful, non-traditional ornaments from plastic water and soda bottles. This year, the 22nd annual festival’s theme is “Celebrate!” The festival is the largest annual special event fundraiser for the Orlando Museum of Art. Every tree, wreath, and gingerbread house is available for purchase and can be enjoyed in your own home or donated to a charity. There’s also lots of fun for children with the Toyland Town area, where children can play games, hear stories, decorate a tree, make ornaments to take home, or send an e-mail to Santa. And while the kids are busy, adults can find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts in the Holiday Boutique or enjoy snacks and beverages from Panera Bread at the Festival Cafe. The nine day festival is also packed with a full schedule of events. One of the highlights includes the Reindeer Romp, an event on November 19th for children with WonderWorks magician Tony Brent and Bonzo the MagiClown balloon artists, as well as Santa, photographs, food, crafts, and more. The Holiday Jazz Stroll on November 21st is also a yearly favorite; it’s an evening party with delicious local cuisine and smooth jazz tunes sponsored by 103.1 FM. Jazz Stroll Friday also includes a day full of entertainment from Pinewood Elementary, UCF, and pianists Barbara Huber and Dr. Jay Hughes. And finally, don’t miss the Finale of the event on November 23rd, which will include appearances by Santa, pianist Dr. Jay Hughes, the Caroling Company, the Orlando Ballet, and more. The Festival of Trees is a widely anticipated yearly event, so be sure to take a break from the theme parks to enjoy this Orlando gem. Who knows? You may even find the perfect Christmas tree to take back home with you. Labels: Holidays in Orlando, Orlando Events, Orlando Museum of Art
Orlando Magic to Open Their 20th Season
 A couple of things happen in Orlando during the fall; kids get excited for trick or treating, teenagers scare themselves silly at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, and the air begins to get a bit crisper. But few things generate as much fall excitement as the opening night of the Orlando Magic’s new season. And this year, the anticipation of this week’s opening night game on October 29th is reaching a fever pitch. Why, you ask? As it happens, it’s the NBA team’s 20th anniversary, which means that this season is bound to be full of great events and surprises for the fans, not to mention big hopes for Orlando’s favorite team. The Orlando Magic is Central Florida’s only NBA team and has had a host of basketball stars such as Shaquille O’Neal, Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, Grant Hill, and Tracy McGrady. The team plays in the 17,000 seat Amway Arena located in the heart of downtown Orlando, where they have garnered a fierce following among Orlando residents and visitors. This week's Season Opener is taking place at 7 pm against the Atlanta Hawks, and fans just can’t wait to see all the action. One thing to look for in the opener is the Magic’s new look. In honor of their 20th anniversary, they’ll be donning their new uniforms, which are a kickback to the original uniforms worn when the team began in 1989. “We took the classic pinstripe approach from the first season and redesigned it with an evolved tapered pinstripe and worked it into the flowing cutlines of the new design," said Adidas apparel designer Jonathan Yuska. The majority of the jersey is Magic blue with white pinstripes running from the bottom that widen as they pass the underarm and reach the shoulder. A black stripe also runs along each side of the jersey with a thin white trim. A 20th Anniversary patch is located on the right shoulder. The pinstripe effect is sure to make the 6-foot tall players look imposing over their opponents in the upcoming 45 games. However, if that doesn’t intimidate them, there’s always the Magic’s incredible new players, including power forward Tony Battie who is returning from shoulder surgery, point guard Anthony Johnson from Sacramento, shooting guard and 2008 draft Courtney Lee, shooting guard Mickael Pietrus from Golden State, small forward Jeremy Richardson, a training-camp invitee, and powerhouse Dwight Howard. Having had a great season in 2007, the Magic are facing a lot of expectations to do well this season. Last year, the Magic clinched the Southeast Division title, their third division title ever and their first since the Southeast Division was formed. They also saw a pinnacle moment when they won their 50th game against the Chicago Bulls (whom they hadn’t defeated since the 95-96 season) and finished their best season yet at 52-30. Then in the Eastern Conference, the Magic saw victory against the Toronto Rapters in their first round playoff series, but then fell to the Detroit Pistons in the second round, ending their playoff run in 2008. The Magic is optimistic about their new season, though, and is looking for a flashy ring to go with their new uniforms, if you know what we mean. The team has made it clear that its goal this year is an NBA Championship – but it’s not going to be easy since they’re sure to face tough competition in the East Conference. Nevertheless, like the rest of Orlando, we have high hopes, and win or lose, it’s certain to be a nail-biter of a season. So make sure you don’t miss any of the action by getting your discount Orlando Magic tickets for the season early! You won’t have to jump through any hoops for them – just go to your #1 discount ticket resource, OrlandoFunTickets.com. Labels: Orlando Events, orlando magic, sports in orlando
See Angels Soar at Kennedy Space Center Space and Air Show
 Just in time for the 50th birthday of NASA ,earlier this month, the Space and Air Show will be coming to Kennedy Space Center for the second time, hot on the heels of the Kennedy Space Center Fall Concert Series. On November 8th and 9th, aircraft of all shapes and sizes will take to the skies over the NASA Causeway. The show will begin at 12:30 pm and last until 4 pm, and it will feature precision pilots and veteran astronauts performing some of the most incredible aerial stunts to the delight of all. Be sure to catch the Navy’s elite flight demonstration squadron the Blue Angels in action. They will undoubtedly be the stars of the show, as this will be the second time the Angels have ever performed at KSC, their last visit being over 30 years ago. Other highlights of the show will include military aircraft demonstrations by the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a compact, extremely maneuverable multi-role fighter aircraft; the F/A-18 Super Hornet, the nation’s first true strike-fighter capable aircraft; and the A-10 Warthog, a single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft designed exclusively for close air support. There’ll also be a 920th Rescue Wing water rescue demonstration, as well as performances by Mike Goulian, a racer in the Red Bull Air Race World Series, and the Air Force Reserve biplane show. Getting to the show no later than 12 pm is strongly recommended in order to get through security and arrive at the air show site on time. The demonstrations will happen over the north side of the NASA causeway with the shuttle launch pads in the background. Since the causeway is not accessible to private vehicles, visitors will be transported to the viewing site by bus from the Visitors Complex (if you purchase regular KSC admission, transportation to the air show will cost an additional $15 per person). Visitors will catch all the in-air action from an open grassy field, so be sure to bring blankets and collapsible chairs for extra comfort. Beach umbrellas and coolers are not allowed, but food and souvenirs will be sold at the viewing site. And when you’re not having fun watching the skies, there’ll also be aircraft displays and space-related exhibits along the air show viewing area. One of the exhibits includes NASA’s Exploration Experience Trailer featuring a virtual model of the moon. Or, take a ride back to the Kennedy Space Center for the Astronaut Autograph & Memorabilia Show featuring astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs. Visitors to the KSC will have the opportunity to meet and spend time with astronauts, be guided by an astronaut on a tour of exclusive KSC areas, view special exhibits available only that weekend, and acquire rare astronaut memorabilia at the 6th annual Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Auction. And at the end of the day, visitors can even have dinner and drinks with legendary astronauts at Cocoa Beach. Admission to the Astronaut Autograph Show is additional, and is available in multiple packages for prices ranging from $5 for admission to the show to $350 for the full VIP package. And of course, you can take advantage of all the usual KSC exhibits, rides, and attractions if you haven’t had enough fun at the air show. So grab your discount Kennedy Space Center tickets here at OrlandoFunTickets.com, along with some seat cushions, and get ready for an air spectacular that will knock your socks off – and probably your hat, too. Labels: Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center Events, Orlando Attractions, Orlando Events, special events
Universal's Halloween Horror Nights 18 - biggest and best yet!
 Universals Halloween Horror Nights 2008 sure is a sight to be seen! It is an experience unlike any other! Featuring eight all new haunted mazes, six all-new scarezones, and three live shows, the 18th year of Halloween Horror Nights is the biggest and best yet for Universal Orlando. “Reflections of Fear” featuring the one and only Bloody Mary is the theme for this year’s event. Universal takes all aspects of your innermost, darkest fears and brings them to life. Whether you had a childhood fear of the infamous Bloody Mary, are afraid of the dark, or have a fear of creepy crawly creatures, Halloween Horror Nights will hit home with at least one of your phobias. Each haunted maze and scarezone is uniquely themed and very detailed, pertaining somehow to fears, myths, and urban legends. My favorite maze was “Scary Tales, Once Upon a Nightmare." In this haunted maze, you enter through the front doors of a quiet little cottage only to discover that the Evil Queen has taken over and is rewriting all of the childhood stories we are all familiar with. Only, she is rewriting them with a twist - an evil bloody twist. Here we catch a glimpse of Cinderella chained and shackled, missing the feet that once filled those famous glass slippers. We see poor Snow White’s corpse with her heart ripped out. We journey down the rabbit hole, only to discover Alice ripping the poor white rabbit to shreds. A little further down, we suddenly aren’t in Kansas anymore. Helpless Dorothy is now tied to the Scarecrow’s post. Let’s just say he isn’t looking for a brain anymore. Leading up to Scary Tales is one of the six scarezones at this year’s event. “Fractured Tales” sets the perfect tone just before entering the haunted maze. Through this scarezone, you will be re-introduced to some of your favorite story book characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, who has a pleasant little surprise in her basket, The Frog Prince, looking extra large and extra creepy, Little Miss Muffet being attacked by a huge spider, This Little Piggy looking for someone else to take to the market, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater and his late wife – still stuffed in the pumpkin, and a handful of other amazingly detailed characters. Scary Tales is just one of the eight haunted mazes at this year’s Halloween Horror Night’s event. Be sure to head over to Universal Orlando on one of the select nights this month to enjoy a truly terrifying evening reflecting your fears. Thanks to Matt Green, one of our Customer Service Representatives, for this informative and personal experience blog piece!Labels: halloween events, halloween horror nights, Holidays in Oralndo, Orlando Events, scary tales, Universal Orlando
Epcot Food and Wine Fest Features Great Foodie Cities of the World
In less than a month, the 15th Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will start its six-week extravaganza. The theme of this year’s gala is “Cities in Wonderland,” and it will delight Epcot guests with a taste of dishes from more than 25 countries and 6 different continents. The Epcot Food & Wine Festival runs Sept. 26 – Nov. 9.
Epcot guests will be able to munch their way around the world at over 25 international marketplaces spread out around Epcot’s World Showcase. Each kiosk represents a different city and country, from Cork, Ireland to Cape Town, South Africa, and other yummy spots on the globe.
New cities making a culinary impression at this year’s Epcot Food & Wine Festival are: - Lyon, France
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Shanghai, China
- Bologna, Italy
- Tokyo, Japan
- Mexico City, Mexico
These cities and more will offer up delectable delicacies so that you can get a taste of the real world just by visiting Disney World. Every tapas-style bite at each country kiosk is paired with the perfect beer and wine, and each portion costs only $2 to $5 each.
If you have never treated yourself to a trip to Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, it is an out-of-this-world dining experience you will treasure. In fact, people from all over the world – and locals too – make the Epcot Food & Wine Fest an annual event. The good news is all you need for this trip around the world is an Epcot ticket!
Obviously eating and drinking is the highlight of every Epcot Food & Wine Festival, but that’s not all you get for your Epcot ticket. Along with the most delicious delicacies from exotic locales all over the world, Epcot guests are treated to entertainment from each of the countries as well as traditional arts and crafts.
Since this is a wine festival, it features some of the best wines from a variety of regions throughout the world, including France, South Africa and California. Beer tasting is also a big part of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. There are complimentary beer and wine tastings daily to go along with culinary demonstrations and food samplings.
Last year over 1 million Epcot guests came to Walt Disney World to enjoy the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, and the celebration grows each year. Get ready to celebrate your favorite foodie cities this year, and get your Epcot tickets today. The delights of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival are only an Epcot ticket away! Labels: cheap disney tickets, epcot food and wine festival, Orlando Events, seasonal events
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