Star Wars Weekends

Visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios from May 20 through June 12 as the parks hosts Star Wars Weekends. This exciting fan event features character appearances, Star Wars-themed activities, parades, meet-and-greet opportunities and more.

However, this year’s event is expected to draw a particularly large crowd due to the debut of the newly renovated Star Tours – The Adventures Continue ride. The motion simulator ride was given new, updated technology and 3D viewing. 54 different story combinations make it possible for riders to enjoy the new Star Tours over and over without ever experiencing the same ride. Guests can be taken anywhere from a battle with Darth Vader to a visit from Princess Leia asking riders for help in saving the Rebellion.

2011 Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Guests

May 20-22
- Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
- David Filoni (Supervising Director of “The Clone Wars”)
- Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars Weekends Host and voice of Ahsoka Tano in “The Clone Wars”)
- James Arnold Taylor (Star Wars Weekends Host and voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in “The Clone Wars”)

May 27-29
- Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Captain Rex and others in “The Clone Wars”)
- Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
- Bruce Spence (Tion Medon in “Revenge of the Sith”)
- Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars Weekends Host and voice of Ahsoka Tano in “The Clone Wars”)
- James Arnold Taylor (Star Wars Weekends Host and voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in “The Clone Wars”)

June 3-5
- Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett in “The Empire Strikes Back”)
- Matt Lanter (voice of Anakin Skywalker in “The Clone Wars”)
- Ray Park (Darth Maul)
- Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars Weekends Host and voice of Ahsoka Tano in “The Clone Wars”)
- James Arnold Taylor (Star Wars Weekends Host and voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in “The Clone Wars”)

June 10-12
- Tom Kane (voice of Yoda in “The Clone Wars”)
- Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
- Ray Park (Darth Maul)
- Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars Weekends Host and voice of Ahsoka Tano in “The Clone Wars”)
- James Arnold Taylor (Star Wars Weekends Host and voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in “The Clone Wars”)

Through parades, stage shows and as roaming characters, guests will also be able to see the Disney characters Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Vader Goofy and Stormtrooper Donald. Captain Rex, Ahsoka Tano, Aurra Sing, Clone Troopers and Shaak Ti from “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” will also make appearances, along with Boba Fett, Cantina Band, Chewbacca, Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Ewoks, Jango Fett, Jawas, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Queen Amidala, R2-D2, Stormtroopers, Tusken Raiders and Zam Wesell from various “Star Wars” films. All appearances and characters are subject to change.

The characters are also not always the actual actors that portray them in the films or television shows. Entry to Star Wars Weekends is included with admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Some events have limited availability.

Book our special Star Wars Weekends package at the Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista for just $55.99 per night!

No Comments by Ashley on May 10, 2011
filed in entertainment, orlando, special events, special package, theme parks

Mardi Gras in Orlando

Every year Universal Studios® brings The Big Easy to Orlando with one of the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations outside of New Orleans. Get ready for beads, bands and good times! Every Saturday and select nights from February 12 – April 23, visit Universal Studios® and enter the French Quarter Courtyard where you’ll find authentic Cajun food and more.

Enjoy a spectacular nighttime parade featuring elaborate floats, street performers, and all the colorful beads you can wear. Stick around after the parade for a nightly concert. 15 live concerts will be held during Mardi Gras at the brand new Music Plaza Stage and feature some of the biggest names in music.

Feb 12 – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Mar 25 – OneRepublic
Feb 19 – The B-52s Mar 26 – Blake Shelton
Feb 20 – KC & the Sunshine Band Apr 1 – Sean Kingston
Feb 26 – Pitbull Apr 2 – Ne-Yo
Mar 5 – Lynyrd Skynyrd Apr 9 – Lifehouse
Mar 12 – Foreigner Apr 16 – The Beach Boys
Mar 18 – Neon Trees Apr 23 – To Be Announced
Mar 19 – Thirty Seconds to Mars



Universal Studios® Mardi Gras is included with park admission and annual passes. Celebrate with Rosen Hotels & Resorts and book our Mardi Gras Package. Starting at just $64.99 per night, this package includes breakfast for two daily, a buy 1 get 1 free drink offer and a welcome pack at check-in (while supplies last).

No Comments by Ashley on January 14, 2011
filed in entertainment, nightlife, orlando, special events, special package, theme parks

Orlando Travel Tips for the Family

Moms and Dads, listen up! Traveling with a family can be difficult – sticking to a budget and navigating an unfamiliar city are just some of the trials you face. Don’t get discouraged when planning your Orlando vacation though. While our beautiful city might seem a little overwhelming with all the theme parks and various things to do, you’ll be glad you came. We are the happiest place on earth, after all! As a local, I’ve lived in Orlando my entire life and know the city’s ins and outs. I compiled a list of things to try that will help visiting families save time and money.

Transportation

Getting around is one of Orlando’s major problem areas. We lack the efficient public transportation most metropolitan cities boast, which makes it difficult on our visitors. There are solutions that won’t break the bank though.

- Budget for renting a car. This is my number one recommendation. Orlando is a driving city and attractions are spread out, but don’t miss must-see things due to transportation. There are literally tons of car rental locations, including the airport. All the car rental companies at the Orlando International Airport combined make up the world’s largest car rental operation. Many hotels also have rental facilities on premises. If you’re traveling with a family of 4 or more, opt for the larger sedan or sport utility vehicle instead of the economy car. Your family will have more room to move around and be comfortable, making the couple of extra dollars a day well worth it. Who knows, you may get a rental employee who is willing to give you a free upgrade as well.

iRide Trolley

- Parking is normally free, with the few exceptions being the theme parks (where parking can run $14 per park), some hotels, and places like the Orange County Convention Center. Check with your destinations to make sure they offer free parking. An insider tip: there is a way around the high prices of parking at Walt Disney World. Parking at Downtown Disney is free of charge. There is a Disney bus terminal that can take you to the various resorts and from there you can take a transfer bus (or monorail if it comes through your chosen location) to one of the parks. Seems like a bit of a hassle and sometimes it is, but the Disney bus system is very efficient and timely. You’ll more than likely get to your desired destination in under a half hour, which isn’t bad when that $14 could pay for a souvenir or someone’s meal. Keep in mind Disney is the only theme park that offers this. Both SeaWorld and Universal charge for parking upon entering the park premises.

*Continue Reading Transportation and Souvenir Tips*

No Comments by Ashley on November 2, 2010
filed in orlando, theme parks, traveler tips

SeaWorld Cares – Raising Money for Conservation

SeaWorld isn’t just a marine-life theme park. The company has been involved in conservation and rescue missions for nearly 50 years now. Many of the animals visitors see in their parks (located in Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio) have been rescued and brought to SeaWorld for rehabilitation. Whether it’s a pelican caught in an oil spill or a manatee who has met the blades of a motorboat, SeaWorld takes the animals in and cares for them. When they are deemed ready for the wild again, SeaWorld’s rescue team releases them back into their natural habitat. Animals who cannot be released are “adopted” by the parks. These animals help SeaWorld educate the public on the animals themselves, their habitats, the dangers they face in the wild, and what we can do to help keep them safe.

In an effort to raise more money for conservation efforts, SeaWorld will be selling children tickets (for ages 3-12) for just $5.00 when the child is accompanied by an adult who purchases a full-price, single-day ticket. The entire $5 goes to fund a conservation project the guest gets to select. The conservation projects include:

  • National Wildlife Federation – Connecting Children with Nature: This organization encourages children to get outdoors and spend less time in front of the tube. They state that the average American child only spends 4-7 minutes playing outside each day! To encourage a love of nature, NWF’s “Be Out There” campaign asks families to spend more time outdoors enjoying nature and help their children learn to appreciate our world.
  • World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – Securing a Future for the Polar Bear & other Arctic Species: Changes in our environment are rapidly threatening the existence of polar bears and all other Arctic animals. WWF works with scientists, native people, local communities, and government leaders to help put an end to environmental threats and bring the Arctic back to life.
  • The Nature Conservancy – Protecting Coral Reef Ecosystems: Many ocean-dwelling animals call coral reefs home. When the reefs are destroyed, the animals habitats are as well. The Nature Conservancy is working to establish no-take zones for fish stocking and re-population in reef areas. Their plans to establish reef surveillance and management plans with local governments could help protect coral reefs for years to come.
  • SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund – Rescuing & Rehabilitating Wildlife: SeaWorld and Busch Gardens have been involved in efforts to rescue and rehabilitate animals effected by natural and environmental disasters for years. The Fund has raised more than $6 million for over 500 conservation efforts since it began. Contributions are used locally as well and have recently helped save animals effected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Support SeaWorld Cares and visit today. You’ll be contributing to a great wildlife cause and will have the opportunity to educate yourself and your family on marine animals and conservation efforts during your visit. Hurry, this special offer ends December 31, 2010!

No Comments by Ashley on October 28, 2010
filed in orlando, theme parks, videos

Weekend Roundup 10/29-10/31

Halloween weekend is here! This week’s roundup is going to begin with our top Halloween event picks. We’ve searched and found something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a costume party, a scary haunted house, or a safe place to take your kids trick-or-treating, we’ve got you covered. Not all of the Halloween events are suitable for children though, so we ask that you click on the event title to get more information.

There are also some great concerts happening this weekend, as well as events raising money for good causes (such as the Chefs Gone Wild event benefiting the Girl Scouts). Browse through the list and find something fun to do this weekend. As usual, if we’ve left a great event off our list, just comment and we’ll make sure to include it.

Halloween
- GOAT Resurrection: Greater Orlando Actors Theatre’s Second Annual Halloween Event
Saturday 8:00pm at Greater Orlando Actors Theatre, Winter Park
Tickets: $20-$35

- Boo at the Zoo
Friday-Sunday 5:30-9:30pm at Brevard Zoo, Melbourne
Tickets: $10

- Brewed Alive 2010 Halloween Costume Party
Friday 4pm-12am at Orlando Brewing, Downtown Orlando
Tickets: This event is free

- Howling Halloween Adventures
Friday 7pm at Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida, St. Cloud
Tickets: $5-$85

- The LaVene Family Trail of Nightmares
Friday & Saturday 7:30pm at Lakeside Park, Celebration
Tickets: $10

- A Petrified Forest
Friday & Saturday 7:30-11pm at 1360 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs
Tickets: $13

*Click Here to View More Halloween Events & Other Special Orlando Events*

by Ashley on October 27, 2010
filed in entertainment, nightlife, orlando, special events, weekend round-up

Weekend Roundup 10/22-10/24

It’s time for the weekend roundup! We’ve compiled a list of the best events happening in Central Florida over Friday the 22nd, Saturday the 23rd, and Sunday the 24th. This weekend there are art exhibits and theater performances galore in Orlando and quite a few new additions to our special Halloween section. The Amway Center will also be welcoming comedic great Chelsea Handler to Orlando. If you’d like to find out more about a listing here, just click on the event title and it’ll take you to an informational page for the event. We’ve done all the work and research for you, now you just have to pick out some great events to attend. As always, if we’ve missed a great event, leave us comment to let us know and we’ll add it to the list!

Art & Museums
- Exquisite Harmony
Friday-Sunday 11am-4pm at Maitland Arts Center, Maitland
Tickets: Members free, non-members $3, seniors & students $2

- Robert Motherwell & Jasper Johns: Poetic Works as Metaphor
Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday & Sunday 12-5pm at Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Winter Park
Tickets: Members & college students free, $5 for public

- Found Objects, Canvas, & Handpainted Furniture
Friday & Saturday 12:30-7pm at Boom-Art, Orlando
Tickets: This event is free

- Against All Odds: The Art of the Highwaymen
Friday & Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12-5pm at Orange County Regional History Center, Downtown Orlando
Tickets: $9, seniors & students $7, Orange County employees & OCPS teachers are free

*View More Events Happening This Weekend!*

No Comments by Ashley on October 21, 2010
filed in entertainment, nightlife, orlando, special events, theme parks, weekend round-up

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

This year the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival celebrates its 15th year. The Festival is held from October 1 through November 14 and features culinary demonstrations, mini-classes, and over 25 stands where you can purchase samples of ethnic foods from around the world. Some of the demos and classes are free or low-cost and others are more expensive and require a separate ticket to attend. These tickets can be purchased at the Festival.

International Marketplace Booths
• 15 Beers for 15 Years
In honor of the Festival’s 15th year, this booth offers 6oz or 12oz samples of beer, or a beer flight consisting of three 6oz samples. Beers included are Fischer Amber, Full Sail Amber, La Fin Du Monde, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Smithwick’s, Widmer Drifter Pale Ale, Widmer Hefeweizen, Abita Amber, Abita Purple Haze, B.B. Burgerbrau, Banks Beer, Florida Lager, Sessions Lager, and Viru Pilsner.

• Deserts & Champagne
Features Strawberry Angel Verrine, Pear Streusel Pudding Cake, Dark Chocolate Sensation, Moët & Chandon: White Star Impérial, Rosé Impérial, Nectar Impérial, and Nectar Impérial Rosé.

• Hops & Barley
Features Boston-style Crab Cake with Cabbage Slaw and Rémoulade, New England Lobster Roll, Pecan Bread Pudding, and the following Samuel Adams® Beers: Boston Lager®, Octoberfest, Cherry Wheat®, 15th Anniversary Festival Beer Coastal Wheat Light®, Cream Stout, Blackberry Witbier, and Latitude 48 IPA.
Continue Reading!

1 Comment by Ashley on October 11, 2010
filed in dining, entertainment, orlando, special events, theme parks

We’re All Smiles in Orlando

Residents and visitors of Orlando alike always have many reasons to smile. Maybe it’s because of our exciting theme parks, the world-class shopping, must-see events, thousands of dining opportunities, or even all the different recreational activities your heart could desire. While all of these are sure to make Orlando a happy place to be, it wasn’t why 500 people from around the world gathered at the new Amway Center on Friday, October 1st.

They were there on a mission to make Orlando the world smile capital on World Smile Day by setting a new Guinness World Record for the world’s largest smiley face. Clad in fluorescent yellow and black ponchos, the group formed a human smiley face that was nearly as wide as a basketball court. Among the crowd were visitors and residents from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, and Germany. 67 of them were winners of Orlando CVB’s World Smile Search, in which participants submitted a story about why Orlando makes them smile. Smile Ambassadors Kyle and Stacey, from the hugely successful 67 Days of Smiles campaign, selected the winners from over 20,000 submissions from 77 different countries.

The smiling participants and Orlando’s World Smile Search not only broken the Guinness World Record, but also raised $19,825 for Smile Train, an organization providing cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries for children so they can smile again. The donation was enough to cover more than 70 surgeries.

Along for the ride were celebrities Melissa Rycroft, host of ABC’s Bachelor Pad, and Joey Fatone, formerly of N’SYNC. They helped spread the word and smiles by participating in television interviews from stations across the country.

Orlando was always a place to find smiling faces, but now we can officially call ourselves the World Smile Capital! Orlando Hotels 4 Less already has one more reason to make you smile with a special Orlando CVB offer. When you book a 2 night stay at Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista, you’ll get a 3rd night absolutely free! Included in the package is our Kids Eat Free Program where children 9 & under dine for no charge with a paying adult. You’ll also receive 2 free tokens to our new video arcade & game room when you check in. Come smile at the Clarion and see our beautiful, newly renovated hotel. We’re just 5 minutes from Downtown Disney and with our free scheduled shuttles to Walt Disney World® theme parks, Universal® Orlando, and SeaWorld® Orlando, you’ll have many reasons to be happy during your stay. Visit us online and book now!

No Comments by Ashley on October 7, 2010
filed in orlando, our hotels, special package

Weekend Roundup 10/08-10/10

Orlando is a large, growing metropolis with hundreds of events happening each week. We’ve taken the time to browse through event listings and picked out a handful of concerts, shows, conventions, games, festivals, and more that you’re sure to enjoy this weekend. We’ve also added a special section dedicated to Halloween activities taking place at various theme parks and venues. All events are for Friday October 8, Saturday October 9, and Sunday October 10. Let us know if there’s an interesting event we missed and we’ll add it to the list! Click on the event title to visit the event’s website for more information and to purchase tickets. Many events listed are even free!

View this weekend’s events!

No Comments by Ashley on October 6, 2010
filed in entertainment, orlando, special events, weekend round-up

Mickey’s-Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Join Mickey & Minnie Mouse at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom® Park on select nights from September 14 through October 31 for a Halloween celebration like none other. The park has many special Halloween events lined up, including:

Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade – Beginning with an appearance by the Headless Horseman, this parade features all of your favorite Disney characters dressed up in Halloween costumes. Don’t miss the Haunted Mansion float and its fellow spooks! The parade is at 8:15pm and 10:30pm.

Haunted Mansion Spooks at Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Parade

Happy HalloWishes – One of Disney’s best fireworks shows! Watch the sky come alive when the Haunted Mansion’s ghosts come out to play. The show begins at 9:30pm.

Happy HalloWishes Fireworks Show

Trick-or-Treating – Each guest will be given a trick or treat bag to be used throughout the park. These bags will get filled up when guests visit the numerous candy stations placed throughout the park. View the candy stations on the party map.

Trick-or-Treat Candy Stations

Halloween Dance Parties – Dance with your favorite characters in two locations! “Rock It Out…Stitch’s Club 626” is located in Tomorrowland at the Rockettower Plaza Stage and “Woody’s Happy Harvest Roundup” is located in Liberty Square at the Diamond Horseshoe Review.

Rock It Out...Stitch's Club 626

Disney’s Villains Mix & Mingle – Watch as Disney Villains take the stage in this special Halloween production. Stay for an after-the-show meet and greet! Shows are at 7:45pm, 8:50pm, 10:05pm, and 11:15pm.

Disney Villains Meet & Greet

Guests are all encouraged to wear kid-friendly costumes to the “not-so-scary” party. This special event requires a separate ticket to attend.

No Comments by Ashley on September 29, 2010
filed in orlando, special events, theme parks
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