Universal Kicks Off 2012 As The "Year To Be Here"

Universal Studios Orlando today announced a number of different updates and new attractions, calling 2012 the "Year To Be Here".

Wet & Wild will be getting a new state-of-the-art waterplay area in time for the summer, but that's not all!

The Despicable Me attraction, now officially named Minion Mayhem, features voice actors from the movie, and allows visitors to train as a minion and go on an adventure with Gru and the gang.

Enhancements are currently being made to the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman (at Islands of Adventure), and will feature the highest definition currently available. Look for these in March.

Blue Man Group, after going dark for a brief period, is soon to be back and better than ever with a show full of new surprises! You'll be able to view this new show beginning February 9.

A new lagoon show is also in the works, to be shown nightly through Spring and Summer, and then on select nights after that. Featuring fire and water, Universal Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories will show clips of timeless films in a way you've never seen them before.

Spongebob Squarepants, Hop, Despicable Me, and Dora the Explorer are just a few of the familiar faces you'll see in the new Universal Superstar Parade, beginning this spring on the streets of Universal Studios.

And last, but certainly not least, next month will also see the opening of the new Hollywood Drive-In Mini Golf at Universal Citywalk. Featuring two different sections, "The Haunting of Ghostly Greens" and "Invaders From Planet Putt", both will have 18 holes and follow the theme of sci-fi movies from the 1950's. Guests will be able to play under a giant spider, through a cemetery and the basement of a haunted house, and even in a UFO! All the excitement starts next month.

For more information, visit Universal Orlando.com.

Photo courtesy of UniversalOrlando.com.

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with Mills 50!

An exotic and festive afternoon awaits you Sunday, February 5, with a Lunar New Year celebration at the Mills 50 district. Along with a parade featuring lion and dragon dances, there will also be a wide array of delicious Asian foods, taiko drummers, martial arts demonstrations, arts and crafts, and so much more!

The parade begins at 11:00am on Hillcrest between Hampton and Mills, and the festivities continue until 3:00pm at 634 N. Mills Avenue (Colonial Photo and Hobby parking lot). Limited $10 VIP front row parade seating is also available.

For more information, visit Mills50.org.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

President Obama Launches Massive Tourist Initiative

Yesterday, The Happiest Place On Earth got a visit from President Obama. Before he got a chance to see Mickey, however, he stopped by the Magic Kingdom to announce a huge new tourism initiative that will help create jobs and increase visitor numbers to the United States in general and Florida in specific.

In his brief speech, the President outlined a number of different actions being taken by his administration to make tourism easier for those wishing to visit the U.S. Brazilian and Chinese tourists will be especially pleased, as the wait time for a visa will be cut from what can sometimes be a wait of up to three months to as few as twenty-one days.

The timing of this speech, and this initiative, not only distracted people briefly from the ongoing Republican primary race, but also ensures that results will be seen in time for the summer months, which are hugely important for tourism in the U.S.

Busch Gardens Tampa Takes You Behind The Scenes

If you've ever wanted a sneak peek at what Busch Gardens Tampa's veterinarians do, your wish is about to come true. The new Animal Care Center will open on January 23, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that allow a behind-the-scenes look at how the animals are cared for, given check-ups, diagnosed, and treated for various ailments.

From the tiniest toads to the greater anteater, guests will be able to view x-rays, surgeries, and so much more in this new state-of-the-art facility. Learn about all the different ways the animals are cared for, and gain a whole new perspective on life in the park!

Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa.

Wine and dine at The Flying Fish

The Disney Boardwalk Resort restaurant Flying Fish has just announced another of their special Winery Event dinners, this one for February 2.

This sumptuous dinner features exquisite courses paired perfectly with specially selected wines. Menu items include: Crispy Togaroshi-laced Gulf-caught shrimp, tournedos of Hawaiian bigeye tuna, and slow-braised Angus beef short ribs.

You'll also have a chance to chat with special guests Jenny & Dick Dore, Marketing Director and Proprietor from Foxen Wines in Santa Maria, California.

The cost is $149 per person (gratuity included) plus tax, and space is extremely limited. Call 407-939-2398 to snap up a spot!

Photo courtesy of DisneyFoodBlog.com

Leap Year Gives You One More Disney Day!

Get ready to be up all night! This year, for the first time ever, Walt Disney World has announced a very special celebration in honor of Leap Day. On February 29 starting at 6am, Magic Kingdom will be open for 24 straight hours of nonstop fun!

To make it even more special, they're also giving away sixty Disney vacations for four! From January 1 to February 29, a daily winner will be chosen to receive a deluxe vacation package to a Walt Disney resort including air, accommodations and much more!

All details for the sweepstakes and for the extended Leap Day hours can be found at OneMoreDisneyDay.com!

Image courtesy of OneMoreDisneyDay.com

Clowning around in The Year of the Dragon

Tonight is the night for Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey kick off their new circus show, Dragons! In honor of The Year of the Dragon, this new show features all of the things you've come to know and love from the circus with a few new twists.

With ringmaster Jonathan Lee Iverson at the helm, you'll see performers from all corners of the globe, both animal and human. Mystical dragon lore is intertwined with Shaolin Kung Fu Warriors, Asian elephants, Cossack riders, breathtaking aerialists, hilarious clowns, and the death-defying Globe Of Steel!

Performances begin tonight at 7:30pm in the Amway Center in Orlando and run through January 16.

Doors open an hour before showtime, and all ticket holders are invited to attend the All Access Pre-Show, where they can watch an elephant paint, get autographs from the performers, and learn juggling and balancing skills!

Schedule of performances:

January 12 - 7:30pm

January 13 - 7:30pm

January 14 - 11:30am, 3:30pm, and 7:30pm

January 15 - 1:00pm and 5:00pm

January 16 - 5:00pm

Tickets are available via Ringling.com and Ticketmaster.com, or you may purchase them directly at the Amway Center box office. Prices start at an affordable $15-$25 for General Seating, with $40 VIP, $65 Front Row, and $85 Circus Celebrity options also available.

For more information, visit Ringling.com.

Photo courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine.

runDisney Wants You To Run For Your Life!

Runners, get ready! The team at runDisney have put together a scare-tastic event for you this year! The Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror 10-Miler Weekend, set for September 29, is runDisney's first ever 10-mile event. Taking you through the set of "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" and past Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat, the course finishes up right near the Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror attraction. If you can make it that far, you'll be awarded with a shiny new medal and an awesome post-race party with your family and friends. Live music, exclusive ride access, and Disney characters will be part of the festivities.

But that's not all! This event week-end will also feature a Health & Fitness Expo, kid's races, and a 5k run, all at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports complex at the Walt Disney World resort.

This is the sixth runDisney event, and only the second one held at night. Making room for it does, however, mean that the other popular nighttime event, Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, has been moved to the final weekend of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (November 9-10). Make sure to mark your calendars, because you can begin registering for this event on February 14th!

For more information, or to register, head on over to runDisney.com.

Photo courtesy of runDisney.com

Happy New Year!

On behalf of all of us here at OrlandoTastic!, I'd like to wish you a happy and magical New Year! Come back often in 2012 for all the best tips and news about events in Orlando.

Orlando Kicks Off The New Year!

The first few days of the new year are upon us, and that can only mean one thing: football! In Orlando, that means the Capital One Bowl, on January 2nd at One Citrus Bowl Place, is raring to go. But you don't have to wait until the main event to have some fun. There are many different options, from a parade to tail-gate parties and pre-game festivities to get you in the spirit.

Starting on December 31, the annual Fresh From Florida parade will kick things off from 11am-2pm in downtown Orlando.

On January 1, from 12:30pm-2pm, head on over to The Peabody Orlando for the Capital One Kickoff Luncheon. Warm up your cheering skills later that afternoon at the Capital One Bowl Pep Rally from 4pm-5:30pm at Pointe Orlando (off International Drive).

January 2 is Game Day! You can start things off right at the Capital One Fanfest at McCracken Field (Citrus Bowl Stadium) starting at 9am. This pre-game tailgate party will feature interactive games, live music, entertainment, and much more!

If you're looking for a tailgate party with luxurious style instead, the Kuykendall Gardner Tailgate Terrace is the gathering you won't want to miss. These festivities offer high end, gourmet food and entertainment, and it's all in a climate-controlled environment. Tinker Field (Citrus Bowl Stadium), 10am-1pm.

The Capital One Bowl will be held at Citrus Bowl Stadium with kickoff at 1pm, with the game expected to end at 4:30pm.

More information on all the Capital One Bowl festivities can be found by clicking http://fcsports.com/CapitalOneBowl.aspx">here.

Should you happen to be looking for something to do on January 1 that doesn't involve football, why not visit Universal Citywalk to see the legendary BB King live in concert? This Grammy-award winning blues legend will take the stage with Kaleigh Baker at the Hard Rock Live Orlando at 8pm. Tickets: $65 reserved first two rows; $47.50 reserved main floor and lower balcony; $37.50 reserved upper balcony; $28.50 general admission. For more information, call 407-351-5483 or check out the http://www.hardrock.com/live2/Calendar.aspx?LocationID=115&MIBEnumID=3">Hard Rock Live website.