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.

ALL STAR Vacation Homes Gets Seal of Approval from Disney!

The vacation home business is booming in Orlando, and Disney has just made things easier for those seeking quality accommodation outside the usual hotel and motel scene. With their new affiliate program Vacation Rental Home Connection, part of the Disney Ticket Network, you now have the option of choosing townhomes, condos, even single-family estate homes with up to nine bedrooms!

ALL STAR Vacation Homes has long been providing spacious, amenity-loaded, comfortable rental vacation properties and now they've received the Disney seal of approval by being added to the new affiliate program. Disney has been working with key vacation rental companies to develop strict standards in vacation homes as well as the proper promoting of Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks. High quality, meeting service standards, and providing consistent, reliable accommodations are requirements of being involved in the affiliate program, so you can rest assured that the home you're renting has been carefully selected and well-maintained.

Families and groups of all sizes will now be able to find accommodations for a Walt Disney World vacation without having to deal with the hassle of hotel rooms. Instead, the Vacation Rental Home Connection, part of the Disney Ticket Network, will assist in placing people in the perfect condo, townhome, or single-family dwelling, some sporting such amenities as private pools, home theaters, game rooms, and multiple master bedrooms. ALL STAR Vacation Homes alone manages more than 250 properties to delight guests during their visit to Orlando.

For more information, or to start planning your vacation today, visit ALL STAR Vacation Homes or call 1-800-572-5011.

LEGOLAND is making a splash in 2012!

It's only been eight weeks since LEGOLAND Florida opened its doors, and they're already making a huge announcement of the big plans they have in store for families in 2012. Just in time for the heat of summer, LEGOLAND Water Park is slated to be open and ready to make a huge splash in the theme park scene!

Admission to the new attraction will be included in the all-new LEGOLAND Premium Pass, giving the passholder year-round admission to the park and seasonal access to the water park. For single-day LEGOLAND Florida guests, upgrading to water park admission will be a mere $12 per person ($3 for children under 3 years old). While the cost is minimal, the additional hours of fun will make it a huge value for families with kids ages 2-12.

There's a huge array of family fun to be had. Not only will there be a wave pool, Joker Soaker (interactive playground with slides and a surrounding pool in which you may be drenched by a bucket holding 300 gallons of water!), Twin Chasers (in which friends can take intertwining 375-foot long enclosed slides before they emerge into the pool below), and Splash Out (only for the daring, these three unique slides start at the tallest point of the attraction and feature a 60-foot drop before guests "splash out" into the waiting pool), but there's also the DUPLO Splash Safari for the toddlers, featuring shorter slides and larger-than-life DUPLO characters. You can even get the whole family involved in the design and building of their very own LEGO raft, which they'll then be able to sail down the 1000-foot Build-A-Raft lazy river, populated with flowers, plants, palm trees, and LEGO friends.

Wade on over to LEGOLAND.com for park hours, schedules, pricing, and more!

SeaWorld Orlando ups the ante on kid-centered fun!

From January 14-February 4 2012, SeaWorld is announcing an all new festival that's sure to make it THE place for kids in Orlando!

Just For Kids will feature concerts by some incredible acts, including the Doodlebops and Choo Choo Soul! Admission is included in regular park admission, so there's nothing extra to spend but definitely something extra to enjoy.

The schedule is as follows:

Saturday, January 14 - LazyTown

Saturday, January 21 - Max & Ruby's Musical Playdate

Saturday, January 28 - Doodlebops' Musical Playdate

Saturday, February 4 - Choo Choo Soul

For further details and the best deals on admission, head on over to SeaWorldOrlando.com!

BREAKING NEWS: Universal to Bring More Harry Potter to Orlando

No big details right now, but it looks like the closing of Amityville and the JAWS ride at Universal Studios Orlando is going to mean "significant expansion" of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Rumors have been circulating since the closing of the iconic film ride was announced last week and now it looks like Harry is coming to Universal Studios as well as Islands of Adventure. And the biggest additional rumor yet? Since that will mean the same "world" in two different parks, the Hogwart's Express will connect them! Surely, that would be a holiday gift for Harry Potter fans everywhere!

The park's California location is also getting its own Wizarding World, thanks mainly to the success of the Orlando location. Keep checking back for more news!

This year, holidays are Universal!

Whether you’re feeling Grinch-y or love a parade, Universal Studios in Orlando has holiday offerings to satisfy your every whim. From December 3 - January 1, there’s lots to see and do!

You don’t have to be in NYC on Thanksgiving to enjoy the Macy’s Holiday Parade, because they’re showing off all of the most popular balloons and floats right in the middle of Universal Studios every day during the holiday season. There’s even a tree lighting ceremony with Santa Claus himself!

If it’s The Grinch you’re seeking, look no further than Grinchmas at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Based on the renowned Seuss story and the Academy Award-winning movie by Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment, “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas”, Seuss Island is completely transformed for the holidays. This colorful Seussian paradise includes The Grinch’s lair, and he’ll be taking visitors! Grinch fans will also marvel at a live musical stage show re-enacting the famous story.

Admission to both events are included in regular park admission. Adults $85, kids ages 3-9 $79, kids ages 2 and under get in free. Looking for more details? Head on over to www.universalorlando.com or just call 407-363-8000.

Add a little Disney magic to your holidays!

Every day is a holiday at Walt Disney World, but when it’s time for Christmas and New Year’s, things really get going! The park may be located in sunny Florida, but with a little Disney magic, you can have gorgeous weather and a little snowfall.

For the little ones, there’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (November 8-December 18, select dates). With special shows, fireworks displays, and magic treats with Mickey & Minnie, this is a nighttime Magic Kingdom event they’ll remember for years! Admission: Adults $56.95, Kids 3-9 $51.95 for advance tickets, Adults $62.95, Kids 3-9 $57.95 for same-day tickets.

November 10-January 3, head on over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and feast your eyes on The Osbourne Family Spectacle Of Dancing Lights! The whole family will marvel at the millions of Jennings Osbourne’s lights and, thanks to a little Disney magic, they’ll get to see the whole scene from beneath the shimmer of snowfall! Admission: Included in regular park admission. Adults $85, Kids 3-9 $79, Kids 2 and under get in free.

Perhaps you’re looking for something a little more international? Epcot’s popular annual Holidays Around The World is just the thing! Along with the storytellers and loads of snow-white lights, there’s also the dazzling Candlelight Processional which features celebrity narrators, a choir and orchestra, and a retelling of the Christmas story. You won’t want to miss it! Admission: Included in regular park admission. Adults $85, Kids 3-9 $79, Kids 2 and under get in free.

For more information on these fantastic holiday events, head to www.disneyworld.com or call 407-824-4321.

New Year's Eve, Orlando style

You don’t have to go to Times Square to attend an incredible New Year’s Eve blowout! Why stand there freezing when you’re invited to amazing celebrations in sunny Florida?

Ring in 2012 with a stunning musical celebration and fireworks extravaganza at SeaWorld Orlando! All your favourite aquatic pals will be there too! Admission: Included in regular park admission. Adults $81.99, Kids 3-9 $73.99, Kids 2 and under get in free. For more information, visit www.SeaWorld.com or call 407-363-2259.

Maybe rock n’ roll is more your style. In that case, Universal CityWalk is right up your alley. Live performances from Smashmouth and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy headline Universal’s “Rock the New Year” in one of Orlando’s hottest parties! There’s also a champagne toast, a huge gourmet buffet, and live entertainment at various nightclubs including Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville; CityJazz, a hip jazz venue; the groove, an electrifying dance club; and many others! Admission: $139.99 plus tax. Check out www.universalorlando.com or call 407-363-8000 for more details.

Or you could help ring in the New Year in the inimitable Disney style all across the Walt Disney World Resort! Wave goodbye to 2011 and look ahead to 2012 in the Magic Kingdom with “Wishes” nighttime spectacular with holiday overlay at 8:30pm and “Fantasy In The Sky” at 11:51pm. Epcot offers the multi-national “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” at 7pm and 11:42pm. “Fantasmic!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios goes all out with music, fire, lasers, water, lights and fireworks at 6:30pm and 8pm, with a special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks display at midnight. Admission: Included in regular park admission. Adults $85, Kids 3-9 $79, Kids 2 and under get in free. Get all the details at www.disneyworld.com or call 407-824-4321.

Looking for a celebration especially for the kids? How about Kids’ New Year’s Eve at LEGOLAND Florida? Geared specifically toward the younger set, kids can rock out and be amazed by LEGO fireworks precisely at midnight KST (Kids Standard Time), otherwise known as 7pm EST. Admission: Adults $75, Kids 3-9 $65. For more information, head on over to www.legoland.com or call 863-318-5345.

No matter what you’re looking for, Orlando is a great place to celebrate the changing of the calendar. Happy New Year!

Have a cool Christmas in Orlando!

This holiday season, Orlando has a little something for everyone out there! From dazzling lights to snowball fights, there’s sure to be something to please the whole family and you won’t have to worry about frostbite!

Take a leisurely stroll through Leu’s Holiday House November 14-January 4 to get yourself in the spirit. The gorgeous, fully restored 19th century Leu House Museum has invited some of the top interior designers in Orlando to spruce it up for the holidays! In the garden, you’ll wander through paths lined with camphor trees, camellias, and ancient oak trees. Admission: Included in regular admission. Adults $7, Kids 5-18 $2. For more information, simply go to www.leugardens.org or call 407-246-2620.

Looking for something a little more active? Gaylord Palms has fun for the whole family with ICE! and SNOW, November 20-January 2. That’s right - nearly 2 million pounds of ice have gone into the construction of ICE! featuring DreamWorks’ Shrek The Halls, a sight to see that’s filled with fun characters. To make it even better, this year sees the debut of Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW, giving the opportunity to go snow tubing, frolic through underground snow tunnels, and even throw snowballs! Admission: Varies by weekday and week-end. Contact www.gaylordhotels.com or call 407-586-200 for all the cool details.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without The Nutcracker, and on December 3rd, the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre is host to the funkiest production around! The Chocolate Nutcracker is a tour-de-force of music and dancing, blending multi-cultural style with traditional inspiration and story. Admission: $23.00 and $43.00. Head on over to www.chocolatenutcrackerorlando.org for more information.

Build Christmas from the ground up with LEGOLAND Florida's First Christmas Bricktacular!

Starting December 5th, you can help LEGOLAND Florida celebrate its first annual Christmas Bricktacular! With over 50 rides and attractions all specially dedicated to families with children ages 2-12, and the one of the largest varieties of LEGO products available, LEGOLAND is pulling out all the stops to make this an amazing holiday. Families will be able to visit with Santa, enjoy the rides, and pick up all the LEGO gifts on their children's wish lists, all in one place. Who knew giving a stocking full of bricks could be so fun?

The Beginning is, fittingly enough, where it all starts. That's the home of LEGOLAND's Christmas tree - over 30 feet tall and comprised of over 270,000 forest green LEGO and DUPLO blocks, it's truly a Bricktacular sight! On December 5, the first-ever tree lighting ceremony will take place with a very special master of ceremonies, and every night after that through December 31, a family will be chosen to assist in the nightly tree lighting.

The Beginning and Fun Town will be festooned with the sights and sounds of the season, and Santa will even be putting in special daily appearances in the botanical garden (a perfect spot to snap those holiday photos).

But it doesn't end there! New Year's Eve will have a rockin' kids party and a special LEGO fireworks display right at midnight KST (Kid Standard Time) - AKA 7pm local time.

There's no additional charge to get in on all the fun - holiday festivities are included in the cost of park admission. Tickets and annual passes are available online at www.LEGOLAND.com.