It seems that Orlando theme parks are joining in on the iPhone app craze. There are plenty of jokes going around on the internet which interject the phrase “There’s an app for that” as the Apple commercial loves to say. But now we can say the same about the newest ride at Universal Studios Orlando Resort, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit! Yes coaster enthusiasts, there’s an app for that. The Pocket Rockit app, just 99 cents at the iTunes app store, is your personal sidekick to this great ride at Universal Studios.

The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a rock and roll-themed rollercoaster that features all new thrill ride technology and lets you choose a song that will serve as the soundtrack. They have everything from hip hop to disco. The five available genres each have six songs, making a total of 30 songs in the setlist. However, once people began to ride the new coaster it was soon discovered there were more than 30 songs. Somehow, someone tinkering around with the system discovered there were (as of now) 999 song possibilities on the Rockit. The internet blogs went wild posting lists and techniques on how to select the hidden songs which feature everything from Kermit the Frog to U2 and Megadeth.

The purpose of the Pocket Rockit app is to archive and confirm those song choices. With live update technology, you will be able to upload any songs you discover to the app’s list. On the other hand you can also see what other people with the app have uploaded and confirm or deny the accuracy of their song numbers. The Pocket Rockit has all of the confirmed songs, both the 30 original releases and any other songs that people have uploaded. All of the song listings can be organized by band or song like on your iPod’s regular system in case you want to ride the Rockit multiple times and want to experience a different song each time. The Pocket Rockit is constantly receiving updates, so if you’re an iPhone owner and want to go to Universal Studios soon, definitely download this beforehand.

When Ghost Hunters premiered on the Sci Fi Channel (now called SyFy) back in 2004 it quickly gained a cult following. But the show has now grown to be a franchise with magazines, merchandise and spinoff shows that bring in millions of dollars a year. Ghost Hunters follows former Roto Rooter plumbers Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson as they explore some of the most haunted places in the United States with their team of investigators. They’ve investigated places like The Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s The Shining, to the Winchester Mansion as part of TAPS: The Atlantic Paranormal Society.

Grant, Jason and crew also investigate businesses, historical sites and personal homes claiming paranormal activity is going on. At the end of every episode they declare whether the site they just finished investigating with various ghost hunting equipment was haunted or not. TAPS uses equipment like thermal cameras, night vision cameras, electromagnetic field (EMF) detectors and regular point and shoot cameras. If you’re a fan of the show, all of that information is old hat.

But fans of Ghost Hunters may not know that this Thursday Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango will be appearing at Universal Studios Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights. This year’s “Ripped from the Silver Screen” theme features awesome characters like Wolfman, Chucky, Jigsaw, Dracula and Frankenstein for an amazing Halloween adventure that hasall new scare zones and the ever popular Rocky Horror Picture Show tribute along with Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure.

Steve and Dave will be appearing Thursday, October 8th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and then again from 10:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Fans will have a chance to meet Steve and Dave and get an autograph signed. Halloween Horror Nights is going on now but will only run through October 31st, so make sure you get your discount tickets soon. Steve and Dave aren’t the only celebs to have appeared at Halloween Horror Nights. Just recently, John C. Reilly was in town to promote his new movie Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant. Who knows who’ll stop by next? Ghost Hunters fans; be sure you head to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando this Thursday!

Imagine being able to drop everything you are doing right now and hop on a flight to Orlando, Florida to embark on a 67 day adventure through the theme park capital of the world. That is exactly what Kyle Post and Stacy Doornbos got to do when the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau chose them as the winners of the 67 Days of Smiles contest. This contest would bring two people with incredible attitudes, a passion for fun and great smiles to Orlando to participate in an advertising campaign everyone would be jealous of.

As Orlando’s “Official Smile Ambassadors,” Kyle Post and Stacy Doornbos will get to visit over 100 of Orlando’s best attractions and report on them through various social media forums and popular internet sites like YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and their very own blog. Both of the Smile Ambassadors came to Orlando from New York City. Kyle, originally from Holland, is an actor on Broadway. Stacy works with children in East Harlem and both of them have a passion for living life to the fullest. Contestants had to submit videos to the contest in order to be voted on. Kyle and Stacy’s cheery demeanor and ear-to-ear smiles, as well as the story of their childhood friendship, won over the voters and made them a natural choice to become the Orlando Smile Ambassadors.

Since winning the trip, Kyle and Stacy have been going on a number of adventures throughout the Orlando area. They’ve been hang-gliding and golfing. They dined at some of the best restaurants and checked out flicks at the nicest movie theatres. They got to wrestle with alligators, swim with the dolphins and check out some of the best theme parks the Orlando area has to offer.

That’s the great thing about the 67 Days of Smiles campaign. Stacy and Kyle got to experience things many people overlook when visiting the Orlando area. But that doesn’t mean they skipped over the traditional attractions the city has to offer! Over the duration of their stay, Kyle and Stacy will visit the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure as their mission of happiness continues. We hope they’re having a blast, because they landed the best 67 day job in the world!

If you have never enjoyed a meal at Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville in Universal Studios CityWalk you are missing out on good food and good times. This is one of my favorite places to dine in at CityWalk because it brings about the feeling of a tropical vacation right in the middle of Central Florida. While I’m not necessarily a Parrothead myself, I can appreciate Jimmy Buffet’s carefree tunes and attitude and don’t mind mixing that in with a great burger. CityWalk is a nice little establishment of nightclubs, shops and restaurants situated right before you enter Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios Orlando.

Every October, when Halloween Horror Nights rolls around, I make sure I schedule a visit to Margaritaville in before I hit the Universal parks for the annual horror event and Golden Ticket winner. The original Margaritaville opened up in Key West, Florida back in 1988 and has since expanded across the globe. The restaurant, named after Buffet’s popular song, features a number of great extras like the Lone Palm Airport tiki bar, where Buffet’s own sea plane is parked, a kids area and the volcano bar. Now, the volcano bar is inside the actual restaurant but you’ll know when it’s ready to blow. You hear the sounds of thunder and the restaurant goes dark and flashes as if a storm was coming. It’s then the volcano erupts as “margarita” flows into the gigantic blender near the appropriately named Volcano Bar.

As for the meal, well, you really can’t go wrong with the Cheeseburger in Paradise. If you know the lyrics to the song, you’ll know how this burger comes prepared: lettuce, tomato, Heinz 57 ketchup, french fries and a big kosher pickle. You can order the meat cooked to your liking and the food is always fresh. As for what to wash down that great cheeseburger with, the choice is up to you. There are a number of margarita cocktails that are great frozen or on the rocks. It may sound stereotypical to have a margarita at Margaritaville, but you really can’t miss out—they’re awesome. The best part is Jimmy Buffet’s own line of tequila and drink mixes are available next door in case you want to have your own Buffet-style party back home.

The kids are back in school and those with seasonal jobs are back to work. Retailers are preparing for the holidays and the Orlando theme parks are gearing up for Halloween events. What does this all mean for those of you thinking of heading to Orlando now? Shorter lines! That’s right, you can expect to find shortened wait times in all of the Orlando theme parks including SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and the Walt Disney World parks.

There are tons of big rides that have opened up as of late, especially over in SeaWorld and Universal Orlando. Already a hit with coaster lovers thanks to Kraken, the new Manta rollercoaster at Sea World had huge wait times when it first opened. After all, it’s the closest experience you can get to actual flying as you glide around the huge track face down with your arms and legs free to dangle or cling to the bars for dear life (depending on what kind of rider you are, of course).

At Islands of Adventure, The Hulk is one of the most popular rides and always a long wait right along with Spiderman (both of them located on Marvel Superhero Island). Spiderman is definitely a favorite and it even won a Golden Ticket Award for Best Dark Ride. At Universal Studios Orlando Revenge of The Mummy and the brand new Rip Ride Rockit are the big ticket thrill rides you usually need to wait in line for.

At the Walt Disney World Resort, you can always expect the “Mountains” at the Magic Kingdom to have long wait lines. Mission Space and Soarin’ at Epcot and Aerosmith’s Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster and Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios usually have packed lines, as well. Such is not the case this time of year. But you can also take advantage of two special holiday parties that will guarantee short lines on just about every ride! Both Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party allow only a certain number of people into the parks to experience holiday fun the way only Walt Disney World can. So if you’ve been thinking of coming to Orlando, check out OrlandoFunTickets.com for the best deals and take advantage of the slow season!

Who does not love a nice piece of cake? Whether you are having a birthday, celebrating a holiday or just having a craving for buttercream frosting or red velvet, there are plenty of cake lovers out there in the world. Disney and Universal fans, if you’ve never had a chance to catch the show Food Network Challenge on The Food Network, you are missing out.

Every now and then this great show comes up with challenges fans of the two biggest Orlando theme parks would love. About four or five of the best pastry chefs from around the nation compete in this show where they are given seven hours to make a three foot cake based on a the theme chosen for that show’s episode. Food Network Challenge has ventured into the world of Disney World magic and Universal Studios Orlando adventure with a number of episodes dedicated to characters from both of these beloved theme parks.

With their Disney Princess challenge, chefs were assigned princesses like Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White and Cinderella and told to represent their stories the best they could in cake form. Belle was surrounded by her dinnerware friends and Cinderella was in her carriage on her way to the beautiful castle. Ariel was resting on the shore with seashells and her fishy friends as Snow White sang to the birds and Jasmine stood high above a hot air balloon. Another episode featured characters from Pixar movies like Toy Story, Cars, Ratatouille and Monsters Inc.

For the Universal Studios character challenge, we got to see Scooby-Doo, Popeye, Betty Boop and Curious George all brought to life using cake ingredients and the sturdy, edible fondant covering that helps these chefs build the huge cakes. They aren’t allowed to use any non-edible sources on the exterior of the cake, but they can use plastic rods and other items to help get height on the massive 3 foot structures. You always find yourself holding your breath when they have to move the large cakes to the judge’s table—they could easily fall!

If you want to tune into this exciting show that showcases just how difficult it can be to make incredible cake creations, check out the Food Network Sunday nights at 8pm/7c to see if one of the upcoming episodes is dedicated to one of your favorite Disney or Universal Studios characters. Other challenge themes have included castles, fantasy vacations and birthday surprises. What will be next on this great show? We’re thinking favorite theme park ride challenge would be awesome.

Movies have the Oscars and music has the Grammys, but for theme parks, their equivalent is the Golden Ticket award from Amusement Today. Well the 2009 Golden Ticket Awards were just handed out and Orlando theme parks made their mark on the amusement world once more as they took home six awards in some of the biggest categories the Golden Ticket Awards have.

SeaWorld Orlando won the award for Best Marine Life Park. With great rollercoasters like Kraken and Manta, thrill enthusiasts are never disappointed. SeaWorld also has beautiful marine life exhibits that make your regular city aquarium pale in comparison. From the baby dolphin tank to the polar bears and Shamu, there is something for everyone at this fun yet educational park.

Universal Orlando Resort took home a Golden Ticket with the award for Best Halloween Event with Halloween Horror Nights. This year’s “Ripped from the Silver Screen” theme is sure to be a hit with movie fanatics as they see their favorite icons like Chucky, Jigsaw, Frankenstein, Dracula and Wolfman come to life at this great park. Universal Orlando also received a Golden Ticket for Best Indoor Roller Coaster with Revenge of the Mummy.

Over at Universal Islands of Adventure, the superheroes of Marvel Superhero Island were graced with a Golden Ticket for Best Dark Ride with the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman. Join your friendly neighborhood webslinger as he takes on villains like Electro and the Green Goblin in a simulator ride every comic book fan (and non fan) will love. Islands of Adventure’s Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls took home the Golden Ticket for Best Water Ride.

Of course no theme park experience is complete without a wonderful fireworks show and Walt Disney World Resort’s Epcot took home the Golden Ticket for Best Outdoor Night Show Production with IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. This wonderful show highlights the multicultural feeling of Epcot’s World Showcase Pavillion and the message of unity and cultural harmony the spirit of Walt Disney World encourages in all of their parks.

Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards are further proof that Orlando theme parks are the place to go on your holiday. The best of the best in the amusement park world can be found right here in Orlando, Florida.

Fans of Christian Rock will love the Universal Studios Orlando Rock the Universe event. Rock the Universe is a 3 day weekend event of "Music That’ll Rock Your Soul" featuring the best groups from the Christian Rock genre, celebrity speakers, a candlelight service and a Sunday worship service to top off the weekend. The weekend will kick off Friday with bands like Switchfoot, Fireflight and Jeremy Camp playing two stages within Universal Studios Orlando. The best part about this weekend event is that the park closes at 6 pm for Rock the Universe ticket holders. You will be able to enjoy your favorite bands and check out the best rides Universal has to offer without such a big crowd—the choice is up to you!

Saturday the rock festival continues with bands like Third Day, Group 1 Crew and Casting Crowns. Make sure you check out famous rides like The Mummy and the brand new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Both rides will get your adrenaline going and get your ready to listen to your favorite bands rock out on the Universal Studios stages. There will also be a special Candelight Service lead by Dr. Jay Strack which will include inspirational messages of worship and guidance on life as well as music.

Sunday the fun continues with bands like Plumb, BarlowGirl and pureNRG rocking the stages as an added bonus after the featured Sunday Morning Worship Service. If you plan to attend the service you need to reserve your spot in advance as there is limited room and this event is highly in demand. Don’t forget to check out some of the other features of the Rock the Universe event. There will be celebrity speakers throughout the weekend telling you their personal stories about struggling and keeping the faith despite the various paths of their lives. Celebrity speakers include BMX champ and Olympic medalist Donny Robinson, BarlowGirls and Mark Stuart.

This is a great event for those with deep faith that want to have an event all their own at Universal Studios Orlando. You’ll be treated to three days of personalized fun just for you as Rock the Universe ticketholders are the only ones allowed in the park after 6pm. Mingle with crowds that share your lifestyle and state of mind while checking out the awesome rides this park has to offer.

Disney theme parks are incredibly fun, but they are also incredibly big! The Walt Disney World Resort parks are huge and can take up an entire day if you plan to see every attraction possible. But the size of these theme parks can create many safety issues that can affect the entire family. So we’re here to bring you some tips to keep the entire family safe while on your visit to the Orlando theme parks whether you visit Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld or any other attraction.

One of the best things to do once you enter the park is pick up a map. Take some time with your group to get oriented on where everything is and pick a spot where you can meet up in case the group becomes separated. Nowadays it’s easier to find each other thanks to technology like cellphones, but for children that don’t have these tools picking a meet up spot is important. If your child is very young, you can put a sticker on the meetup place and instruct the child to tell a cast member their parents are waiting for them at that spot in case they get lost.

When you are entering busy lines try to keep your family together. It’s easy to separate while everyone is making the rush toward the ride entrance. A lot of this has to do with being polite. A simple “excuse me” or asking someone to let your group enter in an orderly fashion goes a long way. If there is a taller member of the group or you are traveling in a family unit, have one person assume the responsibility of letting the younger ones in first before entering the line and as always, thank the people around you.

Thanks to modern technology, strollers have become an even safer option to transport your kids within the park. Big Leap GPS has partnered with Orlando Stroller Rentals to provide you with the ultimate experience in safety technology. If anything were to happen to your stroller you would be able to utilize the GPS tracking system to locate it. But technology can only do so much.

Common sense plays a big part in park safety. Don’t leave small children unattended. Make sure you pay attention to all safety regulations provided by the parks before going on a ride. If you have health conditions or you are pregnant, getting on thrill rides is the worst possible thing you can do! To make sure your trip to the Orlando theme parks is fun, follow the rules and stay together—that’s the best safety tip of all.

After months of suspicion and rumor over Universal Studios Orlando newest thrill ride, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit finally opened for guests this week. Great reviews have been coming in from riders who got to test the Rockit before it finally opened up. “More thrilling than Manta” and “Better than the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster” have been a few of the phrases thrown around about this new ride, so you have to check it out!

The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is located in Production Central, but it’s hard to miss. You will instantly see the 17 story high lift as soon as you enter the park. At night, with its “concert lights” on, you can see it before you even enter Universal Studios Orlando. The Rockit was made to give riders a concert-like atmosphere and experience. It’s a ride with many “firsts” for the Universal Orlando franchise. Featuring a series of thrilling turns, corkscrews and even a loop inspired by the treble clef, this ride will have you holding on tight!

Our favorite aspect is the fact that you will get to select a song to be the soundtrack to your thrill ride experience. Choose from a list of 30 songs featuring everyone from Evanescence to MC Hammer. The music is apparently timed to coincide with the various twists and turns this incredible ride will put you through at speeds of over 65 mph. “Sabotage” by the Beastie Boys seems to be a popular choice with riders of the Rockit. This coaster takes the usual souvenir photo a bit further by filming your entire ride experience and editing it into your very own music video you can purchase at the end of your Rip Ride Rockit journey.

You have to be 51” and taller to ride the Rockit and it is not recommended for people with health conditions. Make sure you read the restrictions posted outside of every thrill ride for your own safety. But once you’re in the clear get ready for the ride of your life. This is one ride you can’t miss and it’s opening up just in time for the holiday season. Halloween Horror Nights is right around the corner! Imagine zooming through the Rockit while the rest of the park is converted into a haunted land. It’s going to be great for everyone visiting the Orlando theme parks this season!

Since the plans for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure were announced in May of 2007, fans have been wracking their brains trying to figure out exactly what a Harry Potter attraction would be like and what it could possibly include. Two years later Universal execs are finally releasing details to the public on what The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would entail and what it would mean for certain sections of the park.

Names for shops, restaurants and possible rides were discovered thanks to the clever investigative skills of a Potter fanatic searching through public trademark records. The 20 acre theme park will be an island of its own at Islands of Adventure and it will incorporate part of the “Lost Continent” section of the theme park. A few of the rides presently at Islands of Adventure, like Dueling Dragons and the Flying Unicorn, are rumored to be “re-themed” and incorporated into the Harry Potter world. Although no official statement on this theory has been released, pictures of construction and ride closures are pretty much proving them to be true. But for those of you wanting to know the real deal on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, OrlandoFunTickets.com has the inside scoop!

Ride wise, there are three registered names. “Flight of the Hippogriff” will probably be the children’s ride aspect of the Harry Potter island taking over the Flying Unicorn’s spot. “Dragon Challenge” will be the re-themed Dueling Dragons coaster, which has been closed for “renovation” for some time now. The park’s “dark ride” will be known as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and will probably be located in what is to be the beautiful centerpiece of the new island: Hogwart’s Castle.

There will also be a theme area made to look like Hogsmeade Village and a number of shops and restaurants. Harry Potter fans can expect to dine and drink at Three Broomsticks, Magic Neep and Butterbeer, which will all have Potter-themed food and drink. Universal plans to have an assortment of retail stores that will cash in on the Potter craze. Those stores will be called: Zonko’s, Owl Post, Ollivanders, Honeydukes and Dervish and Bangles. No official word yet on what will be sold, but you can count on official movie merchandise and wizardry objects of your own.

As more details are released OrlandoFunTickets.com will be bringing you the news on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The island is expected to open in 2010—except a huge opening party for that one!

When Islands of Adventure opened up in 1999 it stole some of the thunder from its predecessor Universal Studios. For the first time, huge roller coasters became part of the Universal family and started making headlines in the thrill-ride community for the record-breaking feats achieved by the Hulk and Dueling Dragons attractions. But this summer, Universal Studios is ready to start a sibling rivalry of sorts with its brand new coaster: the Rip Ride Rockit.

The Rockit is an X-Car Coaster and the largest of its kind in the world. The track is 3,800 feet long with video cameras situated along the track to capture the rider’s every scream and expression. The lift hill that takes you on your first ascent on the ride is a vertical climb 167 feet high. You are not strapped in with an overhead restraint! Despite the loops and twists, you are held in by a lap bar system.

Another feature that makes the Rockit unique is the passenger’s ability to select their own song to listen to while they are riding. Each seat is outfitted with speakers that will play the music at a loud enough level so that your own song selection is the only thing you hear. There are five genres and 30 songs available for you to choose featuring artists of all kinds, from Donna Summer to the Beastie Boys.

Already having gone through its soft opening, many are guessing the Rockit will be officially opening in the next few weeks. Others suspect it will open closer to Halloween Horror Nights in order to promote the horror-themed event. If you’re curious as to what the song selection will be, OrlandoFunTickets.com has the list below. Try to think of your selection in advance, as it has been said you will only have about 45 seconds to decide before you are sent off at 65 mph on your Rip Ride Rockit adventure. Stay tuned for news on the official opening of the ride.

Classic Rock/Metal
• “Gimme All Your Lovin’” - ZZ Top
• “Kickstart My Heart” - Motley Crue
• “Born to Be Wild” - Hinder
• “Paralyzer” - Finger Eleven
• “Rollin’” - Limp Bizkit
• “Bring Me to Life” - Evanescence

Pop/Disco
• “I Will Survive” - Gloria Gaynor
• “Bad Girls” - Donna Summer
• “That’s the Way (I Like It)” - KC and the Sunshine Band
• “U Can’t Touch This” - MC Hammer
• “Glamorous” - Fergie
• “Hella Good” - No Doubt

Country
• “Midnight Rider” - The Allman Brothers
• “All Night Long” - Montgomery Gentry
• “Guitars, Cadillacs” - Dwight Yoakam
• “I Can Sleep When I’m Dead” - Jason Michael Carroll
• “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” - The Charlie Daniels Band
• “Living in Fast Forward” - Kenny Chesney

Rap/Hip-Hop
• “Sabotage” - Beastie Boys
• “Don’t Phunk With My Heart” - Black Eyed Peas
• “Insane in the Brain” - Cypress Hill
• “Rock Star” - N.E.R.D.
• “Stronger” - Kanye West
• “Pump It” - Black Eyed Peas

Club/Electronica
• “Pump Up the Volume” - MARRS
• “Busy Child” - The Crystal Method
• “Keep Hope Alive” - The Crystal Method
• “Le Disko” - Shiny Toy Guns
• “Intergalactic” - Beastie Boys
• “Harder Better Faster Stronger” - Daft Punk

This summer, music lovers will not have to wait hours in line to nab tickets to that must-see concert - why would you when there is great music around the corner at Universal Orlando, and you only need a regular park admission to hear it? For the first time ever, Universal Orlando will be hosting a Summer Concert Series this season with performances by four of the biggest names in pop, hip-hop, and R&B. This won't be like concerts at other parks where the featured bands were big stars when your mom and dad were growing up - you've actually heard of these hitmakers, and they'll be rocking the brand new Music Plaza under the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.

Beginning Saturday, June 13, and running through every Saturday night afterwards until July 4, the Summer Concert Series will feature four chart-topping, multi-platinum, Grammy Award nominated and winning performers. The music and fun starts on June 13 with American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, whose self-titles album has sold more than a million copies. Sparks will be followed by hip-hop icon LL Cool J on June 20; the rapper has sold more than 15 million records and 20 singles on the Billboard charts.

Then on June 27, British songstress Natasha Bedingfield, who's sold more than 10 million albums, will perform, followed by Rock 'n Roll Hall of Famers The O'Jays, who'll close out the concert series on July 4.

The Summer Concert Series will be a great way to wrap up a fun day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. And what's more, it's sure to be a fantastic concert experience what with the new addition of the Music Plaza, a state-of-the-art concert venue designed in the spirit of the legendary Hollywood Bowl. No matter where you sit or stand in the Plaza's 15,000-square-foot viewing lawn, you're sure to get a great view of the action on stage thanks to its two massive, 20-feet-tall projection screens, which sit beside a 2,400-square-foot performance stage.

"Our Music Plaza has quickly become Orlando's perfect place to enjoy great music outdoors," said Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment for Universal Orlando Resort. "Our Summer Concert Series will continue that tradition - and be an amazing experience for everyone from dedicated music fans to families wanting a great wat to end their day in the parks."

No extra ticket or expense is necessary to enjoy the great tunes of the Summer Concert Series; all you need is regular admission to the park. However, you can still save on that regular admission when you check out the discount Universal Studios tickets from OrlandoFunTIckets.com, making the Summer Concert Series an even bigger deal. So don't miss the sounds of summer - make your plans now to attend this great Universal event.

With Valentines Day just around the corner, some of you might be scrounging around for last minute ideas to surprise your sweetie with on the holiday of love. Here in Orlando though, you need look no further than Universal Studios, where you can enjoy a day of fun and affection with your significant other. After all, what better place than the fantastic realm of movies and TV to make a dream date come true?

Kick off your Valentine’s Day festivities at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel on Friday, February 13, where the Universal resort will hold Harbor Nights Romantico, a wine tasting, gourmet food, and music event. From 6:30 to 9 pm, guests will be able to savor select wines, gourmet food samples, delectable sweets from a chocolate station, and live music by Nova Era, along with romantic arias and duets by Portofino’s opera singers.

Then the next day, head to the Universal parks for some thrills that will bring you closer together. Nothing achieves that purpose better than the rides at Islands of Adventure, where you’ll scream in unison on The Incredible Hulk Coaster, grab on to each other tightly during the Jurassic Park River Adventure, and laugh as you get soaked together on Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls. The other side of the park, Universal Studios, has similar fun for couples. You can take part in a honeymoon adventure along with Shrek and Fiona with Shrek 4D, and see who kills more aliens on the Men in Black Alien Attack, among other cool attractions.

When you’ve had your fill of the parks, there’s no better way to unwind from all those high-adrenaline amusements than with a couple’s spa experience. Head back to the Portofino Bay Hotel and step inside the world-class Mandara Spa, where a suite specially reserved for couples awaits to give you peace and relaxation. Side by side, you can indulge with a facial or ease away tension with a massage.

And after you’re refreshed and rejuvenated, be sure to stop by CityWalk, a great place to stroll hand-in-hand with your loved one while you browse the shops. While you’re there, stop in at the Hard Rock, where Reggae Love Fest 2009 will get underway at 9 pm. Featuring internationally acclaimed Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths, Glen Washington, Tony Stephens, Pressure, and Munga, the Love Fest will have you feeling affectionate as you groove to one of the most understated genres of romance, reggae.

Then, at the end of the day, cap the evening at Chef Emeril Lagasse’s famous Emeril’s Restaurant Orlando; this modern and airy restaurant inside CityWalk makes a romantic setting with a wall of wine, an elegant metal staircase, plenty of open windows, and Gertjejansen artwork on the walls. You’ll enjoy chatting with your date about all the fun you had as you enjoy classic Creole cocktails and dishes.

So forget cliché or cheesy Valentine’s Day plans and go for a unique, fun, and romantic holiday celebration that will really wow your partner. You’ll make all the arrangements you need for the whole day when you purchase discount Universal tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com.

When we go to a theme park, we want to have fun; that is a blatantly obvious fact. However, we generally also want to document that fun as much as possible. That’s getting easier to do these days with cell phones that have built in cameras and handy digital cameras that fit right in your pocket. However, all that technology doesn’t always guarantee a great shot. That’s where photo opportunities come in. Universal Studios Orlando is particularly famous for having some of the most photogenic areas of any other theme park in Orlando. And let’s face it – you haven’t really been to the park unless you’ve taken a goofy picture with a friend at one of the following spots.

One of the most entertaining photo opportunities is definitely the 24-foot-long shark hanging at the entrance to the JAWS attraction, located in the San Francisco/Amity area. Complete with an open mouth and several rows of sharp teeth, this giant fish would never be mistaken for a real one in a photograph. However, taking a shot with your head inside it is still a must.

And over at Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone, the next most popular photography spot is at E.T.’s Toy Closet at the E.T. Adventure. There, you can be photographed riding your very own bicycle…that just so happens to have an alien in the basket. Another great photo backdrop recreates the scene in which E.T. hides in the closet with toys. A pro is available to take your picture here, although it’s not required that you use him or her.

Another one of the most photogenic areas at Universal Orlando is the entrance to Islands of Adventure, Port of Entry. Filled with unique shops, weird wares, and an overall exotic theme, Port of Entry is one of the most detailed areas in the park. While you’re at the Islands, also be sure to stop by the Jurassic Park area; there, you can pose next to one of the actual vehicles from blockbuster movie – just watch out for the T-Rex hovering above your head.

In addition to some of the older, more tried-and-true backdrops at Universal, some of the newer attractions are gaining popularity among the picture-taking crowd. Outside Shrek 4-D, a photo with the talking donkey (he really talks) is always fun. And near the Simpsons Ride, be sure to pose outside the Kwik-E-Mart or from the inside of Krusty’s mouth.

If you’re photography impaired, however, and can’t think of a good place for a souvenir photograph, look for signs denoting Kodak Photography Spots throughout the park. These backdrops are specially designed to create an interesting momento of your day at Universal. And if you forgot your camera at home, don’t fret; a professional photographer is conveniently waiting to take your picture at quite a few locations at the park.

Finally, one of the most basic and fun of photo ops is with the characters – at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, Spiderman, Shrek and Fiona, Cyclops of the X-Men, the Cat in the Hat, and the entire Simpsons family are just a few of the folks who will kindly pose with you.

If you don’t have rolls and rolls of memorable pictures at Universal Studios sitting at home, there’s just one thing to do – get down to the park and start shooting! Scoping out fun backdrops is a great way to enjoy the parks, and you’ll always remember the fun you had taking the pictures. And by saving money with Universal Studios tickets from OrlandoFunTickets.com, you’ll be able to afford more film – or maybe a new digital camera.

Next to Halloween Horror Nights, one of the biggest events at Universal Studios Orlando is definitely Mardi Gras: Let the Music Move You. This amazing annual event brings visitors from all over the country to Orlando for fun, music, and one-of-a-kind food and entertainment. And OrlandoFunTickets.com has the latest info on this can’t-miss party, including which hot artists will be taking the stage at Universal Studios.

The first juicy tidbit to know is that unlike other Mardi Gras of the past, this year’s event will provide opportunities for more fun with extra dates in addition to its usual schedule of every Saturday. Mardi Gras: Let the Music Move You will take place every Saturday night from February 7 through April 18, as well as Sunday, February 15, and Friday, March 27. Guests will be able to party in the streets, taste the flavors of Louisiana, and enjoy live performances by some of the biggest stars in pop, rock, R&B, country, and hip-hop, during this incredible, longer-lasting Mardi Gras celebration.

This year’s Mardi Gras will also feature a star-studded concert line-up, one of the biggest the event has ever had. Party-goers will be able to hear the sounds of KC & the Sunshine Band, Frankie Vallie & the Four Seasons, the Village People, Ne-Yo, and Pat Benatar (featuring Neil Giraldo on guitar) in February; Barenaked Ladies, Montgomery Gentry, Collective Soul, Boys Like Girls, and Kelly Clarkson in March; and MC Hammer, Trade Adkins, and Nelly in April. Word has it that all these concerts will take place at a new permanent live concert plaza within the park, which will debut during Mardi Gras.

In addition to these incredible headliners, Mardi Gras will feature real bands direct from New Orleans, such as Big Red and the Zydeco Playmakers, Lil Malcolm and the House Rockers, Daddy Mac Blues Band, The Honey Islands Swamp Band, and Jumpin Johnny Sansone. All these authentic bayou performances will take place in the “French Quarter,” a replica of the famous New Orleans district of the same name.

“This year’s Mardi Gras will be our best party ever,” said Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment for Universal Studios Orlando. “We’ve got the best music line-up in the history of the event, along with a non-stop celebration filled with an amazing parade, floats, food, and all of the beads you can catch.”

In addition to the never-ending beads, the party will also include outrageous street performers and of course, that spectacular parade filled with colorful costumes and uniquely designed floats. And each night, when the fun at Universal Studios ends, the after party continues at Universal CityWalk with more live music from Louisiana performers, plenty of spicy Cajun food, and more authentic Mardi Gras fun.

Now that you know all the amazing music and fun Mardi Gras has in store this year, there’s no reason not to start planning for all the festivities. After all, February 7th will be here before you know it, and there’s nothing like the excitement of the first night of Mardi Gras. Score your discount Universal Studios tickets and before you know it, you’ll be part of one of the spiciest parties this side of the Bayou.

Its not often that we anticipate a catastrophic event but in the vacation world of Orlando things are sometimes a bit warped. Last week, a new Disaster! hit at the Universal Orlando Resort and guests at Universal Studios now have the opportunity of taking part in a great new production endeavor at “Disaster Studios,” the calamity-ridden motion picture “Mutha Nature.”

Nobody likes a real disaster, though, especially one involving spending too much money. You can prevent that by getting all of your cheap theme park tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com! We are your number one source for tickets to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and beyond.

The new Universal Studios attraction – officially named “Disaster! A Major Motion Picture Ride…Starring You!” – opened to guests on January 16. Superstar wrestler and actor Dwayne Johnson (aka “The Rock”) was on hand for the ride’s introduction to the park, and he also plays a major role in the faux film being produced on Disaster!, “Mutha Nature.” The ride’s movie also features Christopher Walken as the film’s director, Frank Kincaid.

Disaster! is replacing the Earthquake ride, which closed last year. The new experience takes some of the best elements of the old attraction and combines them with a brand new storyline, super celebrity guests and more audience interaction. As the ride – and movie production – progresses, participants become extras and celebrities come to life using a cutting edge virtual imagery technology called “musion.” This “high-definition video projection system” has allowed the techies at Universal to “blend illusion with reality.” Basically, it turns a two-dimensional image into a realistic live three-dimensional image virtually giving life to the characters throughout the ride.

The final stage of the ride brings visitors to a setting reminiscent of the subway scene in the old Earthquake ride, where guests play the role of commuters experiencing a disastrous trip. Once they have dealt with fire, flood and the ground breaking up beneath them, relieved riders are treated to a special viewing of the trailer for the special version of the Disaster Studios film “Mutha Nature” that they have just created.

While real disasters are never welcome, new attractions always are, and this new way to “ride the movies” at Universal Studios Orlando is no exception. Another welcome treat is the discount Universal tickets you will always find at OrlandoFunTickets.com. For your family vacation, come take your starring role in the new Disaster!

The holidays have been in full swing all over Orlando for more than a month. At Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and the Universal Orlando Resort, visitors are being treated to special parades, shows and enormous displays of holiday lights and decorations. At OrlandoFunTickets.com, our visitors are treated to cheap theme park tickets at Christmastime and all year round.

At Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, park guests have already been enjoying the Return of Grinchmas, the Macy’s Holiday Parade and other special Christmas shows. Starting the day after Christmas, Universal Studios is presenting a new treat that can only be seen through December 31.

“Universal 360 – A Cinesphere Spectacular” is scheduled to explode in a “big Hollywood finish” each night over the Universal Studios Lagoon only during Christmas week. Using the new “Cinesphere” technology, Universal presents some of their biggest films in larger-than-life projections on huge spheres set over the lagoon. The show also boasts one of the largest laser light shows in the State of Florida and a stupendous pyrotechnics display to bring the show to a fabulous finale.

Guests that are looking for some good food on Christmas Day won’t be disappointed at the Universal Orlando Resort either. The Kitchen restaurant at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel will be serving a breakfast buffet from 7 a.m. through 1 p.m.

Next door at the Portofino Bay Hotel holiday vacationers have two wonderful choices for Christmas dinner. Mama Della’s is open from 4-10 p.m. and they will be spooning up Italian specialties and Christmas treats all to the music of strolling musicians. If you are away from home for the holidays, this is the way to eat your dinner!

Over at the Trattoria del Porto, Christmas Day guests will find a buffet featuring prime rib, jumbo Gulf shrimp, leg of lamb, baked ham, king crab legs, breast of pheasant, pasta and risotto stations and omelets and crepes made to order. From noon-8 p.m., this dinner option also features visits from Universal characters, clowns and a magician.

On your Orlando holiday vacation, enjoy a great Christmas dinner at one of Universal Orlando’s fine hotels and then be sure and visit Universal Studios during Christmas week to be one of the few with the chance to see “Universal 360 – A Cinesphere Spectacular.” And don’t forget – get your discount Universal tickets right here at OrlandoFunTickets.com!

The holidays are filled with tradition and celebration, and this is even more evident as all of the Orlando area theme parks gear up for their own annual celebrations of the season. The Universal Orlando Resort is no exception, and they have pulled out all the stops to help you celebrate your holiday vacation this year. Decorations and special events can be found literally across the resort, with holiday shows, giant Christmas trees and carolers spicing up that seasonal atmosphere. OrlandoFunTickets.com is joining in the fun too. Everyone wants a good deal while holiday shopping, and discount theme park tickets are our specialty. We are your number one Christmas source for cheap theme park tickets, so let us make your holiday vacation happy and economical!

To help make your Orlando holiday trip even more special, Universal Studios has partnered up with one of the most famous names in holidays and shopping. The Macy’s Holiday Parade frolics through Universal’s own New York City streets each night. Guests will recognize the signature Macy’s balloons and authentic floats, as the Parade brings that New York City Thanksgiving feeling right into the heart of your vacation. Unique street performers and a variety of marching bands make this one of the most entertaining holiday events in town. Besides that, this year’s extravaganza features a brand new Simpsons family float and RV in honor of the expected 2008 opening of the new Simpsons attraction at Universal Studios.

Along with the parade, the holidays are celebrated in different ways on the live stages around the park. The Blues Brothers will be jamming to some rock and roll Christmas tunes and the snow will start falling down on Delancey Street. The KidZone Holiday Show has guests dancing and singing along to all of their favorite holiday hits. And the little ones will have their December dreams come true at Barney’s Christmas Show, where they can clap and sing along as Barney and his famous friends perform A Day In The Park With Barney™.

The Universal Orlando Resort is lighting up for Christmas and getting ready to party on through New Years Day. Their special holiday celebrations start on December 7 and run right up until January 1. OrlandoFunTickets.com has all of the tickets you will need for Universal and all of Orlando’s theme parks at the holidays and for the rest of the year too!