Archive for
November, 2007
November 30th, 2007 by cecilia d
I recently had the opportunity to experience Pirates Dinner Adventure first hand. This is a fast action, fast talking, high flying adventure show that has kids sitting on the edge of their seats. The show starts with some appetizers and a preview of some of the action as you enter into the world of the pirates. Before the show starts, your host takes you to your seat where you are later introduced to “your pirate” — kids love this because the whole show is based around pirate competitions and everyone sits in a colored section and gets to cheer on their pirate by name.
The set is really well done and definitely exceeded my expectations. There is a Pirate ship actually “in” the water - and some of the scenes include a little motor boat buzzing around in the water. There’s singing and cheering and and lots of audience participation. The pirates compete on a number of skill tests which includes swinging on ropes and climbing around. There’s a storyline all the way through but the action really captivates the kids.
There is one pirate who is particularly acrobatic, and he really wowed the crowed with his back flipping trampoline spin (he was moving so fast he was just a blur!). In the end, everyone had a great time. If you’ve got kids and are looking for a great night out - this is something that they will talk about for months (and maybe even years) to come!
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November 28th, 2007 by keith f
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To many parents and their kids, Orlando is a dream vacation, but it also presents challenges to their wallet and sometimes even more so, their patience. Tourists who want to do and see it all can easily get stressed out. Here are a couple of tips before you go.
- Have a daily budget in mind. Aside from purchasing multiple day passes, there are plenty of free or lower cost attractions which the whole family can enjoy. Performed twice daily for free, the is great fun for kids. A half day in Winter Park is also a great way to escape the theme park crowds. Stroll up Park Avenue and duck into one of the unique shops and end up at the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tours. If you are going to the theme parks and are able to do so, pack a lunch as the food at the parks can get expensive. For food outside of the theme parks, you could use the Kids Eat Free Card.
- Be mentally prepared to wait in line. One suggestion is to consult the calendar and travel during off school vacation times. Summer is probably the worst time to come because of the heat. Also be cognizant of the American holidays as those are busy weeks as well but remember, travelers from all over the world are visiting Orlando year round. Another word of advice, pace yourself-if you attempt to do it all, you’ll fall down from exhaustion!
- Check the weather and traffic updates. It rains daily in the summer so bring a poncho. Traffic can be brutal so try to avoid I-4 during rush hour. Lastly, all of the major theme parks have ride restrictions as far as height requirements. Check out the theme park websites to avoid breaking your youngster’s heart. Enjoy your visit!
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Orlando?
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November 26th, 2007 by susan j
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Finding the time and space to exercise during vacation can be a real problem for a lot of travelers. There are ample opportunities to indulge with all-you-can-eat breakfast buffets and tropical drinks by the pool, but how will you burn off those extra calories and keep your energy up for sightseeing? We’ve rounded up a couple of tips for helping you stay active on your next trip to Orlando, Florida.
- Pack travel-friendly exercise equipment. A pair of good walking shoes are a must so that you can see and do everything Orlando has to offer. A lightweight resistance band is also a good idea, because it fits easily into any suitcase and means that you can do a few reps while your kids are watching TV or your travel companion is taking a shower. About.com’s Exercise Guide offers some suggestions on .
- Catch some sunrays. Orlando’s warm, sunny weather are ideal for outdoor activities. You could do a few laps in your hotel’s pool, challenge your family to a game of tag, or take a brisk walk before breakfast. Walking around attractions like Fun Spot Action Park or Gatorland also offer fun ways to exercise. Just be sure to slather on the sunscreen so you won’t get burned!
- Choose a fitness-friendly hotel. Nowadays most hotels offer a fitness room, but several have above and beyond the basic free weights and treadmill routine. For instance, the gives its guests free pedometers and offers group fitness classes. And the hosts an hour-long week each Saturday to help guests stay fit.
What’s your favorite stay fit strategy when you’re on vacation? Leave a comment and let us know!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
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November 19th, 2007 by susan j
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With Thanksgiving coming up on Thursday, this week is one of the craziest of the year to travel. If you’re among the who plan to fly this week, then you’ll want to read Peter Greenberg’s . Greenberg is a Today Show contributor and his suggestions includes checking in online the night before and shipping luggage in advance (good advice for other times of the year, too) To relieve airplane gridlock, President Bush recently approved a and added additional measures to avoid delays. Happy travels!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
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November 15th, 2007 by susan j
Whether you’re traveling with your significant other, your kids, or a group of friends, planning a trip that will please everyone can be tricky. Where should you stay? What should you do with the kids when you and the S.O. want to hit the town on Friday night? What’s the best place for a spa getaway with your girlfriends?
We want to put the fun back into traveling and that’s why we’re introducing a new feature on this blog called “Ask a Travel Expert.” If you have a travel-related question you’d like to see answered, then leave a comment and our team of experts will be sure to discuss it in a future blog post. Happy Travels!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
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November 12th, 2007 by amy c
Bilmar Beach Resort, photo courtesy of
Whether you are looking for an action-packed getaway to the best theme parks in the world or a relaxing vacation on tropical beaches, Florida offers excellent vacation destinations for the whole family. Here are some of our picks for hotels that will complete your trip:
If you are headed to the Gulf Coast…. and mark bustling metropolitan areas that seamlessly blend nature and culture with its warm, picturesque beaches, perfect for snorkeling and the many museums in the area. A vacation in this region is best taken on the beach. Try these family friendly, beach side resorts:
: Equipped with the comforts of home, this resort features spacious rooms with ocean views, along with easy access to family activities. Located in Treasure Island, the Bilmar is in the heart of Gulf Coast fun, including a and the , located right in a working historic fishing village.
: This bay front hotel gives families and business travelers luxurious accommodations in a picturesque setting. In the heart of downtown, the hotel offers a serene stay in a convenient location– a short walk from Channelside, a restaurant filled neighborhood, and the
If your next vacation spot is Florida’s Central Coast… For the traveler that has always wanted to experience the high-technology wonders of Florida, start planning a trip to or . Here are some great hotels near the excitement of space travel, Nascar, and beaches:
: Located right on the area’s only traffic free family friendly beach, this resort is the perfect destination for family travel. Enjoy a resort vacation with everything you need at your fingertips, or venture out to see or the .
Beyond Orlando’s theme parks is a rich, proud history of space science, such as at the . See space shuttles launch or splash around Cocoa Beach at this family friendly vacation condo.
If you are headed to Downtown Orlando…When staying in the bustling tourist magnet that is , it is important to have a vacation headquarters that will offer easy access to the famed attractions and a place to relax after a day of roller coaster sightseeing.
: For an affordable place near the theme parks and action-packed International Drive, Residence Inns are the way to go. There is also one directly on International Drive and both offer complimentary transportations to the famed parks. For some near by restaurants check out: and for some Latin flare.
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
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Go Orlando Card.
November 8th, 2007 by keith f
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If you get as excited about beer as I do, you’d think that the land of Mickey would offer only your standard choices of the suds (read: Budweiser). But you may just be pleasantly surprised.
If you venture to Winter Park –you should as it’s a very different Orlando - a must visit is . Located upstairs in Hannibal Square, this dark joint attracts an indie crowd and some serious beer worshippers. Any place which promotes “Beer Church” is serious about their beer. Their 10 draft choices blend American micros (Lost Coast Apricot Wheat) and Belgians (Val Dieu Blonde) while the bottle list is extensive and runs the gamut. Mead, sake and wine are also served up with a live music.
Another must visit is the beautiful town of Celebration (yes it does look like a movie set) and the . Ten rotating drafts and 99 bottles are just part of the lure of this Boston-influenced watering hole and authentic Boston seafood restaurant. Join the beer club, watch the Pats game, enjoy a Chimay red cap, Eightball Stout or yes, even your dad’s Schlitz.
Florida’s Tap Room in MetroWest pays homage to the Shipyard Brewery from Maine and is a great hangout to watch the games or shoot pool. Visit Florida Tap Room on Hiawassee Blvd in MetroWest.
Orlando’s Brewing Partners, located in downtown, has a taproom where you can taste what this small local brewery has to offer. It’s Florida’s only certified organic brewery and offers a great variety of their own fresh brews as well as some great others. Live music is offered on weekends. Check their . Prost!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
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November 6th, 2007 by susan j
Located a short drive from Orlando in Daytona Beach, the Museum of Arts and Sciences (MOAS) has an impressive collection with nine permanent exhibits, as well as a 90-acre nature preserve. They also plan to add a in the fall of 2008. Here are some of the new exhibits coming up at the MOAS:
November 2, 2007 - January 20, 2008
Paintings by Kevin McNamara
December 7, 2007 - April 27, 2008
Great Masters of Cuban Art: 1800 to 1958
March 14, 2008 - TBD
The Classical World: From the Collection of the Tampa Museum of Art
Click to read more about MOAS’ upcoming exhibits.
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
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November 1st, 2007 by susan j
Cypress Gardens
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Thousands of travelers head to Florida each year to meet America’s most famous mouse, but Orlando has many more fun activities besides Mickey and friends. Here are some of our picks for active adventures in the area:
- Cypress Gardens Adventure Garden is Florida’s first theme park. With 39 thrilling rides, including five roller coasters and Splash Island water park, Cypress Gardens entertains visitors of all ages.
- Gatorland combines classic Florida charm with modern excitement and adventure. Known as the Alligator Capital of the World, this 110-acre theme park lets visitors get up close and personal with reptiles and other animals.
- Boggy Creek Airboat Rides takes travelers into the Everglades to discover Florida’s wilderness. This half hour ride often includes sightings of wildlife including alligators, turtles, birds, and more.
- Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour covers 12 miles of Winter Park’s serene lakes and canals. Riders enjoy views of swaying palms, lush ferns, and colorful sub-tropical flowers.
- Green Meadows Petting Farm offers a 2 hour guided farm tour that lets visitors touch the pigs, chickens, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and more. Kids can even their hand at milking a cow!
If you’ve visited any of these attraction, leave us a comment and let me know how you enjoyed it!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
