Be A Part Of Mardi Gras At Universal Orlando!

Universal Orlando is celebrating Mardi Gras this year in a huge way! From February 11 - April 14, there's going to be food, fun, and floats throughout the park with a distinctive New Orleans feel.

The one thing people think about when they think Mardi Gras is the parade. Amazing floats and catching beads are a huge part of the celebration, and this one is no different. On Saturdays and other select nights, you'll be able to see amazing costumes, stilt walkers, and street performers as well as the iconic floats. Even better, if you're a Premier or Preferred Passholder, you can even sign up to ride ON the floats, tossing beads and doubloons to spectators! Click HERE to be taken to the sign-up page.

But that's not all the excitement! There's a special French Quarter area where you'll be able to try all sorts of delicious Cajun foods, an after-party at Citywalk, and a huge music series! With acts like B-52's, Kelly Clarkson, Boyz II Men, Goo Goo Dolls, and Cyndi Lauper, there's bound to be an act that you don't want to miss out on.

For all the details of Universal Orlando's Mardi Gras 2012 celebration, head on over to Universal Orlando's Mardi Gras page.

Photo courtesy of UniversalOrlando.com

SeaWorld Orlando Makes A Splash With Teachers

Sometimes, teachers need a field trip all their own. A lesson in marine wildlife, perhaps, or the demonstration of gravity that only a roller coaster can bring. SeaWorld Orlando is happy to oblige.

For the fourteenth straight year, SeaWorld is offering all active and certified Florida teachers a free Fun Pass with unlimited admissions to the park for a whole year. Registration couldn't be easier! Simply visit SeaWorldOrlandoTeachers.com, fill out the form, and bring proof of official teacher status the first time you visit the park. That's it!

Plan a field trip for the class, find new ways to illustrate the lessons you're teaching in the classroom, or simply take a day for yourself. Don't miss out on this fantastic offer!

Photo courtesy of SeaWorld.org

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