Disney Blog - Orlando Vacation Information

Be dangled some 15 to 20 feet above hippos

Behind the scenes, the ultimate backstage tour, just feet above man-eating crocodiles, adrenaline-pumping close encounters, all describe The Wild Africa Trek experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Not an experience for the faint-hearted, in fact, guests must be 8 years and older to qualify and no flip flops allowed.

From the safari trail to the surreal, blending the imagination with the impossible, Disney transports unexpecting guests to an unheard-of-location backstage that one could only dream of, hold your breath, there is not place for acrophobia here.

With a price of $129, group of 12 maximum, guests really feel special on this one-of-a-kind adventure directly through Savanna forest of Africa.

Watch the safari vehicles rumble beneath your feet, but first, guests are shuffled to a secluded spot, "Dawa Bar" to get outfitted in a special jacket equipped with a harness and the only thing allowed is your camera.

"Let's roll", shouts the tour guide. Challenge your skills and agility with a host of surprises including stairs, hanging rope bridge, challenging obstacles, thick branches, tight quarters, inclines, and much more.

As the rough torrain opens, The Bonna Landing comes into view, smack dab in the middle of the Savanna, lunch is being served with breathtaking close encounters, view giraffes, gazzelles and elephants all frolicking in their own natural habitat.

But that's not all, Disney has over-the-top plans for expansion to expose thrill-seekers to get upclose and personal with wild lions. For about 30-minutes, dare to enter the real Savanna, it's so wild you'll forget that you're in Florida.

Albeit 10 pounds, Lilly is making progress

Last February 2010, Animal Kingdom was blessed with their newest arrival, Lilly, a western lowland gorilla. A year later, Lilly's weight of just 10 pounds is baffling the zoological team. After one year, the normal weight of a gorilla should be roughly 20 pounds.

Fortunately, first-time mother Kashata, has been lending a helping hand during Lilly's unusual development. Lilly has had difficulty grasping objects, drinking, climbing, and keeping food in her mouth.

In cases like this in humans, doctors would look for problems ranging from neurological disorders to vitamin D deficiency. Animal Kingdom park officials subjected Lilly to a battery of tests including a MRI at the Florida Hospital Celebration, but to date, specialists have found nothing out of the ordinary.

Like humans, Lilly has been undergoing physical therapy in order to develope her mouth functions which is a key component for disseminating important information to the brain. Physical therapy includes stimulation through use of a electric toothbrush that is rubbed in on Lilly's face twice a day.

Multitasking is an important process for gorillas which includes grasping objects with one hand while feeding with the other. Due to the low birthrate of these types of animals in captivity, 10 to 15 a year, finding a gorilla with similar circumstances has been impossible.

Nevertheless, Lilly's progress looks promising to Disney's Animal Kingdom caretakers who feel that her physical status is different from that of just a year ago.

Guests can observe Lilly and her mother at Animal Kingdom's Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.

Live Jousting!

We live in the Orlando area and it has been awhile since we have done any of the attractions. In fact we have never done any of the dinner shows, so we decided that as a family we would go check them out. We decided to hit up Medieval Times because we all had an interest in their jousting matches. So we set plans and decided to go during a week day to ensure we got good seats, we made the assumption that they are probably packed on the weekends.

Now when it comes to my big family of nine we are always looking for the cheapest prices, whether its coupons or codes we always get the best deal. Well when we were searching online for discounts, coupons and codes we came across a discount ticket dealer, and wouldn’t you know it they were located right across the street from Medieval Times in Kissimmee! We picked up our tickets and they told us that we should head right over, an hour early so we could get good seats.

The greatest part is that we assumed we would be sitting around for an hour waiting for the show, but instead there was a bundle of things to do! Outside they have several buildings that look like they are from the medieval era, inside is a bunch of cool items and hand made tools! They even have a torture chamber that made me cringe when they explained what the items were used for.

When the show started we were served fantastic food, the only weird thing is there is no silverware. They want to make it as authentic as possible so they serve you fantastic food, but you gotta eat it with your hands. During this great meal down in front of you a tournament is going on. Knights from “the kingdom” joust and enact sports; the even had duels with medieval weapons down in the arena.

We really enjoyed it, the food was fantastic, the show was awesome and the kids absolutely loved it. We will definitely be bringing company that visit from up north back to here, it was great!

Aircraft Museum

We aren’t really ones to vacation often, but when we do we tend to do things by the book. So when we made our Disney vacation this year we decided that it was in our best interest to pack entertainment into every square inch of the time we had in Florida. So before we came we decided to look into local attractions that would be affordable for the last day we were here when we came across the Fantasy of Flight museum.

Our first impression was that we would get to see a few planes and maybe some medals from war heroes. But instead we found something just as enjoyable as the theme parks. The tour guide told us that this was a small aircraft museum but to me it was the biggest I had ever seen. You could actually enter some of the aircraft that were there, even sit in the cock pit of a few. The tour guide proceeded to tell us that the museum was constantly expanding as new features were added every day.

We were really impressed with the planes, they even had us jump out of the back of one as if we were sky diving. They had planes from both World War II and World War II, something I never had seen before.

The Fantasy of Flight Museum was really fun and entertaining, and I was glad because it was educational for my kids. Since they are constantly expanding we hope to visit next year during our vacation, the guide said they would probably have more stuff to show us.

Dinner review was very lucrative for the brand

Nearly a year ago, the show receiving raving reviews, "Dine with Shamu", is scheduled to restart again. Dine with Shamu, featuring the star of the show Shamu, will have limited admission performance in the wake of Dawn Brancheau's death almost a year ago.

Starting on Feb 26, guests will enjoy a scrumptous buffet meal of choice cuts, fresh fruit, vegetables, rice, fruit salad, beef tips, Chicken Florentine, carved turkey, desserts, and chocolate cake while watching experts train their killer whales.

Seaworld's popular show by demand, showcasing killer whales, featuring a viewing area, was left in limbo after Feb 24, when the unfortunate accident happen to SeaWorld's best trainer during the training of the six-ton whale Tilikum.

Meanwhile, Seaworld is in the battle of the century with the U.S. Occupational Safety Dept. that has fined the company some $75,000. Animal rights advocates believe that trainers believe the killer whales like Tilikum should not be in captivity.

On the flip shide, Dining with Shamu, an amazing experience, will be making changes to the show areas in preparation for an unbridled performance. Guests in the dining area will have to enjoy the performance through a special glass among other changes.

It's possible that some time in the future Tilikum will be used in the show again.

I am a MAJOR Star Wars fan! I am not the one who will be dressing as a Star Wars character, but still I am hardcore.

For all Star Wars fans, this year will be like no other! Disney as usual will unveil its Star Wars Weekend. Even though at press time Disney has not announced the dates, we can assume that, as years past, it will be sometime in May thru June.

When Disney announces the dates, it will also announce the stars that are going to be invited to the festivities. I personally have seen Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Jake Lloyd (Young Anakin), Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett), Temura Morrison (Jango Fett), David Prowse (Darth Vader), Ray Park (Darth Maul), and Warwick Davis (Ewok) who has been annually the host of this event. Last year marked two special occasions: The 30th Anniversary of the “Empire Strikes Back”, plus the last time everyone got the chance to ride the Star Tours (version 1.0).

However, this year George Lucas and Lucasfilm and Disney have join forces to bring us a new revamp version of this majorly loved attraction! The blogs are full of glimpses here and there of the new changes. Confirmed are the appearances of several unique cities from the Star Wars universe, plus new characters will appear during the show (hint hint, new androids!). We don’t know if C3P0 will make a cameo appearance, but everything has been hush-hush. We’ll be embarking in a new ship, the Starspeeder 1000. The Disney imaginers’ have told that they will be given an updated ride system that has high-def. video, the impressive Disney Real-D 3D screen, a top of the line motion simulator and several newly added special effects. All in all, Star Tours (version 2.0) promises to be another top awesome ride that will make everyone visits Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Ron Jon Surf School

Many vacationers that come to Orlando Florida frequently usually ask the same question, “after visiting the theme parks what else can I do?” Indeed what else? Well, think no more! Why you don’t take a stroll and go into Florida’s many beaches. Florida has approximately 2,276 statute miles of shoreline! Many spring breakers can attest to the excellent ambience of Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach.

To all beach-goers there’s something extra to make your time at the beach more pleasurable, Surfin’! When it comes to surfing, many people think of the beaches at Waikiki or Honolulu in the state of Hawaii. However, we also have in Florida great beaches to practice that sport. For the uninitiated, there’s surfing lessons you can take to get on with the basics and enjoy this marvelous sport where you ride on top of the waves and see where it takes you!

One of the most frequented one is the Ron Jon Surf School, which is name after the top swimwear store giant. They conduct their lessons in Cocoa Beach cause the area is amazingly showered with nice waves and for its wind. Besides regular surfing, new in their staple is Kite Surfing or Kiteboard (which is regularly called). Ron Jon Surf School has a reputation for safety and world-class instructions to either get you start it or take you to the next level if you have prior knowledge. And you can see how important safety is, cause in their classes they teach you about:

• Water Safety – understanding Riptides, how they are formed and how the surfer can get out of them; also, surfing etiquette do’s and don’ts for the surfers safety and those around him in the water.
• Marine-life Awareness – how to deal with a variety of sea creatures from Stingrays to Jellyfish.
• Basic Techniques – paddling and standing techniques on a soft surfboard.

They have lessons specifically design for Private (one-on-one), semi-private (two or more persons and one instructor), or Large groups (10 or more people). They even have a summer surf camp for children 7 to 17 age old.

As you go along and learn how to stand up in the board, and get your first experience paddling and getting soaking wet as you try to ride your wave, you’ll also have fun in the process, and feel the excitement build! What a thrill to be able to ride your first wave without being thrown into the water! It will be one of the highlights of your vacation, to take pictures and show it around your friends and family and show them how great you are getting at surfing the waves! The pictures and the incredible memories will make this one of your best vacations ever!

What you have to bring? It’s very simple! Bring your towel, your sunscreen blocker, your flip-flops, lunch or lunch money, and the fun, cause Ron Jon Surf School will teach you the rest! And Boy what a jolly good time you’ll spend! They also encourage families to join together in the fun and there’s no require age to learn how to surf! Come and join the many vacationers who have taken their classes and who have enjoy to the max the amazing time spend riding the waves! In no time you’ll be doing the surfer’s signal and if you get lucky, perhaps you’ll take the path thru a surfer’s tunnel and it will be a total bliss!

2 Great Upcoming Shows at the Bob Carr

Nothing beats imagination and a touch of nostalgia! Things of the past seemed to regain interest and fervor. And as time goes by, we hold very dear the classic stories that have touched our hearts!

The months of February and March are going to be amazing for all theater/musicals lovers. Two shows that have shattered records in attendance and years of showing will be presented at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. These two shows will be one of those one of a lifetime moments to see award winning Broadway Musicals of unique styles.

The first one will be during February 1-6 with the one and only WEST SIDE STORY!

This is the timeless story of Romeo and Juliet with a little twist. Instead of being set in Italy, it is set in New York City. If you are thinking you’ll find the Capulet and Montague, you’ll be finding the Jets and the Sharks (white’s working class vs. Puerto Rico gang respectively). But the story is the same, two young star-cross’d lovers. With the help of award winning combo of Lyricist Stephen Sondheim and Music by Leonard Bernstein, this will be a total treat to all theater lovers. It’s not bad to mention that the sound and the story will touch and make everyone sing and dance and feel in their hearts this timeless story! You probably wont stop stomping your feet with songs like “America” (you’ll probably be singing “I like to live in America, I like to live in America…”) or the romantic ones “Maria” or “Tonight”, perhaps you’ll be laughing and touched at the same time with a song like “I Feel Pretty”, and many more! Winner of multiple Tony Awards and this has been brought to the big screen with the Oscar winning movie of the same name! Definitely it will be worthy and an experience like non-other!

The second one will be during February 23 – March 27 with the beautiful tale of WICKED!

5 million people can’t be wrong! This show has broken every possible record for musicals and shows presented in theater. Not only here in the US but all over the world have felt in love with this marvelous story. The music and the lyrics of this musical is from the mind of Stephen Schwartz, which has garner him both critical and audiences responses. In the process, the show has won multiple awards including 2004 Tony award for best actress Idina Menzel and more recently the 2010 Laurence Olivier Award for Audience Award for Most Popular Show. The story revolves around the two witches in The Wizard of Oz, with the Wicked Witch of the West (named Elphaba in the musical) being a misunderstood, victimized and her reaction being just a reaction of the circumstances; and the Good Witch of the North (named here Galinda) who is both beautiful and ambitious. The story is told thru the point of view of Elphaba and her relationship with Galinda, also how different reactions leads to different paths, all told in a beautiful and touching way! Songs like “Popular”, “Defying Gravity”, “Dancing Through Life” and many more will definitely touch everyone’s heart and will make them cheer.

Do not miss any of these two shows. They are unique and different, but one thing that both have is an unbelievable story that is and continues to be just simply marvelous and amazing! It will be a treat to go to the “West Side” and be “Wicked”!

Some 110,000 descend on ESPN Wide World of Sports

During the leanest time in the year, people were descending from around the world to participate in this years Walt Disney World Marathon. With some 54,000 runners warming up for the event, vendors were selling diverse lines of running gear before the 5-kilometer event. Meanwhile, competitors were picking up their packets of Health info needed in preparation for the Marathon.

The majority of runners come from outside Florida and spend an average of 3-4 nights in Disney Hotels. Loading up with carbohydrates for the next race, small groups like this have become more important as peak crowds continue to diminish.

Races run the gammut from Mickey Mile to the namesake twenty six-mile race on Sunday. New events continue to stack up as executives add more events, including the Disneyland Half Marathon, Disney's Princess Half Marathon, and the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon. Company's goal is to get all these events under it's marketing umbrella "runDisney."

But why would runners participate in these races? We think the sales language of "friendly races" continues to attract a greater casual crowd of Marathon runners each year.