The Lands of Magic Kingdom:

• Main Street USA
• Tomorrowland
• Mickey's Toontownfair
• Fantasyland
• Liberty Square
• Frontierland
• Adventureland

Epcot Eat to the Beat Concert Series for 2010

One of the highlights of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is the chance to enjoy Eat to the Beat! Concerts along with some fine wine and international cuisine. This year there will be a varied lineup of classic rock, soul, R&B, oldies, jazz and funk hit–makers. Concerts are performed 3 times each evening at America Gardens Theatre along the World Showcase lagoon. The show times are daily at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.Theme park admission is required although the concert is at no additional cost. Entertainment acts are subject to change without notice.

· Taylor Dayne: October 1 — October 3
· Kool & The Gang: October 4 — October 5
· Sugar Ray: October 6 — October 8
· Taylor Hicks: October 9 — October 10
· Air Supply: October 11 — October 12
· Sister Hazel: October 13 — October 15
· Howard Jones: October 16 — October 17
· Exposé: October 18 — October 19
· 38 Special: October 20 — October 21
· Night Ranger: October 22 — October 24
· Billy Ocean: October 25 — October 27
· Starship, starring Mickey Thomas: October 28 — October 31
· Boyz II Men: November 1 — November 3
· Roger Hodgson (formerly of Supertramp) November 4 — November 5
· Jon Secada: November 6 — November 7
· Hanson: November 8 — November 9
· Rick Springfield: November 10 — November 11
· Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: November 12 — November 14

For more information, visit the official Epcot International Food and Wine Festival website.

Let the Memories Begin with New Disney Parks Campaign

Disney Parks announced their newest campaign, Let the Memories Begin. For the first time, Disney Parks features the home video and snapshots of real Guests in television ads and other marketing communications. The campaign allows an audience of millions to share in true-life, heartfelt moments.

And, beginning in 2011, guest could appear in a nightly spectacular when photos of the magical memories they made in the park during the day are projected that night onto Cinderella Castle or "it's a small world." This groundbreaking new experience celebrates the thousands of family vacation memories that are created in Disney theme parks every day.

What month is best to travel to Orlando, FL?

While there never is a bad time to visit the “Happiest Place on Earth” and other Orlando Florida attractions, there are definitely certain times of the year that are preferable in terms of weather and crowd control.

During the fall months, October in Central Florida is much like a pleasant summer day “Up North.” Daytime temperatures can still get into the 80s without the roasting temperatures accompanied by brief but powerful thunderstorms that are the hallmarks of Florida’s summer weather. There is also a diminished chance that tropical systems will force a change in travel plans, and since most kids are in school around the country, the crowds are a lot lighter. Add to that a number of seasonal special events like Mickey’s not so Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom, Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival, and Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, and there are plenty of reasons to travel to Orlando in October.

After the holiday season—one of the peak travel periods in Orlando—the weather in Orlando warms up to pleasant spring temperatures in February—while the rest of the country is still blanketed in snow. Universal Studios hosts their annual Mardi Gras festival, with concerts from some of the biggest musical acts of the past and present. Much like October in Orlando, the February crowds are lighter, making it easier to enjoy some of the biggest thrill rides at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure and SeaWorld multiple times.

SeaWorld Cleans Up Beaches From Coast to Coast

During the International Coastal Cleanup this Saturday, Sept. 25, hundreds of employees of the 10 parks of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment -- including the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks -- will clean three U.S. coasts and tackle one of the most pervasive pollution problems threatening the world’s oceans, lakes and rivers: trash.

Park-sponsored cleanup events are planned in Florida, Virginia, Texas and California.

Trash is a constant threat to marine wildlife and their aquatic habitats. SeaWorld’s Rescue Team actively rescues manatees, sea lions, seals and sea turtles that have either become entangled in discarded fishing line or sick from ingesting human-made objects.

“Our animal experts see firsthand everyday the impact trash can have on wildlife,” said Jim Atchison, chief operating officer for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.” “The International Coastal Cleanup allows all of us to be part of the solution before it impacts animals.”

For more than a decade, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has collaborated with the Ocean Conservancy in support of the International Coastal Cleanup – the world's largest volunteer cleanup event of its kind. Since 1986 thousands of volunteers from around the globe have cleared more than 100 million pounds of trash from 170,000 miles of shorelines, rivers, lakes and wetlands. Last year nearly 500,000 volunteers collected more than 7.4 million pounds of trash in 108 countries.

SeaWorld’s commitment to cleaning up oceans and waterways extends beyond the International Coastal Cleanup with additional year-round employee efforts targeting local beaches, shorelines, lakefronts and riverfronts.

For more information on International Coastal Cleanup, volunteers can visit www.oceanconservancy.org.

Events at Old Town in Kissimmee

2010 National Scott Firefighter Challenge comes to Central Florida

Firefighter’s will test their fitness and agility, either as a team or individual, in a race against the clock and each other in what is known as the “Toughest 2 Minutes in Sports.”Firefighters will be challenged by an obstacle course set up for five tasks: Tower Climb/Hose Carry, Hose Hoist, Forcible Entry, Hose Advance and Victim Rescue. All those who finish the course in less than 2 minutes will qualify for the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge-World Challenge.

This Challenge annually attracts hundreds of US and Canadian municipal fire departments at more than 25 locations and is now expanding to countries around the world, including New Zealand, Germany, Argentina, Chili, and South Africa. The Challenge seeks to encourage firefighter fitness and demonstrate the profession’s rigors to the public. Wearing “full bucker gear” and the SCOTT Air-Pak breathing apparatus, pairs of competitors race head-to-head as they simulate the physical demands of real-life firefighting by performing a linked series of five tasks including climbing the 5-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-sized, 175 pound “victim” as they race against themselves, their opponent and the clock.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, 10/21/10, 5p.m.-Firefighters and family’s night at Old Town. Special discounts-restaurants, shops and rides

Friday, 10/22/10, 10a.m.-3pm-Firefights and families fun day at Old Town. Special discounts-restaurants, shops and rides. Children’s activities, games & displays from area attractions, Tandems Competition and Seeding Relays

Saturday, 10/23/10, 11:30am-12pm-Opening Ceremonies, Individuals and Teams Competition

Sunday, 10/24/10, 10am-Relay Eliminations

Holiday Inn Main Gate East, located just 2.5 miles from the main entrance to the Walt Disney World® Theme parks, and across the street from Old Town. The 444-room, full service hotel features two high-rise towers with interior corridors, Italian tile throughout and most rooms with private furnished balconies. All rooms boost colorful and stylish triple-sheeted beds, granite countertops and high speed internet. Kids love the kid suites and all the extra amenities the hotel offers like the kid’s theater, kid’s playground, kid’s swimming pool, and a large interactive game room for the entire family to enjoy. Be sure to visit Chianti’s lobby lounge with indoor and poolside seating. The hotel offers complimentary scheduled transportation to the Walt Disney World Theme Parks and the Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlet stores. If you book now you can take advantage of the hotels pre-pay special. Book at least 3 nights, prepay and you receive an additional 20% discount. For reservations please visit our web site at www.HolidayInnMGE.com. For additional information please visit www.firefighterchallenge.com

Marriott hotels in Orlando Florida

It’s not too late to take advantage of last minute travel deals in Orlando Florida at a hotel chain with a name you can trust: Marriott. With locations all over the Orlando area and the advantage of being just minutes away from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, and SeaWorld/Discovery Cove/Aquatica, Marriott hotels in Orlando have come together to offer special rates and packages to make the vacation of a lifetime more affordable than ever.

Choose from the following hotels at the Marriott Village Lake Buena Vista:

SpringHill Suites Orlando: With rates as low as $75.00 per night for a 2 night stay on select dates
Courtyard by Marriott Orlando: With rates as low as $79.00 per night for a 2 night stay on select dates
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott: With rates as low as $59.00 per night for a 2 night stay on select dates

Choose from the following hotels near Sea World/Orange County Convention Center:

SpringHill Suites Orlando: With rates as low as $74.00 per night for a 2 night stay on select dates
Residence Inn by Marriott: With rates as low as $94.00 per night for a 2 night stay on select dates
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott: With rates as low as $63.00 per night for a 2 night stay on select dates

For more information call toll-free: 1-888-468-3870 or make your reservation online.

Brief History of the City of Orlando

In 1856 Orlando became the county seat of Orange County, Florida. The “Town of Orlando” was incorporated on July 31, 1875 with an area of 4 square miles. Orlando incorporated as a city in 1885.

Today, the City of Orlando as a result of numerous annexations, has an area of over 100 square miles and is still located entirely within Orange County.

Orlando getting CLEAR 4G coverage for wireless broadband services

Whether they are in town for a convention or a family vacation, all Orlando travelers can benefit from 4G wireless broadband coverage, which is why Clearwire Corporation, operator of the largest 4G network in the country, is making CLEAR 4G available in Orlando as the take-it-with-you internet service for businesses and consumers. With CLEAR, anyone can now use the Internet at speeds four times faster than 3G, whether at home, in the office, or on-the-go within the CLEAR coverage area.

In Orlando, CLEAR covers nearly 1.4 million people. Regionally, the service extends as far north as Lake Mary, as far south as Kissimmee, east to Waterford Lakes and west to Winter Garden. A detailed coverage map of CLEAR 4G service is available at www.clear.com/coverage.

In the Orlando attractions area, particularly in the hotels along International Drive, Irlo Bronson Highway in Kissimmee and the Disney and Universal resorts, free wireless Internet service is a key selling point for hotels, resorts and vacation properties. The CLEAR experience is similar to Wi-Fi but without the short-range limitations. CLEAR uses wireless 4G technology that differs from Wi-Fi because it provides service areas measured in miles, not feet.

With service in more than 50 US cities, customers across the country are looking for a CLEAR advantage for their wireless Internet needs. For a limited time, new customers can take advantage of CLEAR's online-only mobile internet promotion to receive a 50 percent discount on their service plan for the first two months, with overnight shipping included and no activation fee. This promotion is available at www.clear.com/florida.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando at SeaWorld Offers Rooms for $67

Finding a great deal on a Florida vacation usually requires a massive amount of time for planning and research to find just the right place at the right price. Vacationers looking for an Orlando, Florida hotel near SeaWorld however, are in luck. Guests who book a room by September 24, 2010 for a stay between September 1, 2010 and December 23, 2010, at Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando at SeaWorld will enjoy rates from just $67.

Be sure that promotional code PX3 appears in the Corporate/Promotional code box when making your online reservation, or call 1-800-228-9290 in the US and ask for promotional code PX3.

Guests will delight in the convenience of Orlando International Drive lodging that offers complimentary shuttle service to all nearby area attractions including SeaWorld and Aquatica. Kids will love splashing the day away in the one-of-a-kind Shamu Pool and splash zone while parents can relax in the whirlpool or Splash Bar & Grill located on-site.

With such an unbeatable price, it’s hard to pass up this Orlando hotel vacation package that will please every member of the family.

Discover an Orlando SeaWorld hotel unlike any other at the new Fairfield Inn & Suites at SeaWorld, a convenient Orlando, Florida hotel on International Drive near Aquatica and minutes from Universal Studios. Featuring complimentary shuttle service to famed attractions, this hotel near SeaWorld in Orlando represents a premier family destination. Greeting guests with welcoming smiles and friendly service, the Orlando SeaWorld hotel lobby creates an inviting and modern atmosphere with vibrant colors and décor. Start the day off right with a complimentary continental breakfast before exploring top attractions surrounding this Orlando, hotel near SeaWorld. For those looking to soak up some sun, look no further than the Shamu Pool and splash zone, an iconic feature of this family friendly hotel. Depart from an ordinary Orlando, FL hotel on International Drive and encounter unparalleled accommodations and service at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando SeaWorld Hotel.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 407-354-1139, or visit www.marriott.com.

SpringHill Suites Orlando at SeaWorld Launches Unbeatable $74 Offer

Even though summer is coming to an end, one Orlando hotel near SeaWorld has an offer that will convince people to hold off on welcoming Fall. Book a room by September 24, 2010, for a stay between September 1, 2010, and December 23, 2010, at SpringHill Suites Orlando at SeaWorld and gets rates from $74.

Be sure that promotional code PX3 appears in the Corporate/Promotional code box when making your online reservation, or call 1-800-228-9290 in the US and ask for promotional code PX3.

Families will love the convenient location of the hotel, just minutes away from nearby top attractions including SeaWorld, Aquatica and Discovery Cove. When not enjoying the parks, kids and parents alike will delight in the spacious, comfortable rooms perfectly suited for families with 25% more space than most similarly priced Orlando, FL hotel suites in the area.

It’s a great opportunity to treat the whole family to an unforgettable Orlando vacation package without breaking the bank.

Depart from a typical Orlando SeaWorld hotel and discover the exceptional SpringHill Suites Hotel on International Drive near SeaWorld. Experience the stylish design of an International Drive hotel offering 25% larger suites than comparably priced Orlando, Florida International Drive hotel rooms. Modern yet comfortable accommodations boast innovative design, stylish furnishings and plush bedding, while complimentary International Drive Orlando hotel perks include breakfast, high speed internet and on-site parking. Located near the Orlando Convention Center and Adjacent to Aquatica, this Orlando, FL hotel near SeaWorld provides easy access to top area attractions. Splash in the unique Shamu outdoor pool, play in the splash zone, or soak up some sun before enjoying delicious American cuisine at the SpringHill Bar & Grille inside this Orlando SeaWorld hotel. Look no further than the SpringHill Suites hotel on International Drive in Orlando near SeaWorld for a family vacation that is sure to please the entire family.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 407-354-1176, or visit www.marriott.com.

Halloween Horror Nights 2010

It’s baaaaaaack—and scarier than ever! On selected nights in September and October, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Orlando will be celebrating “20 Years of Fear” with new scare zones, haunted houses, live entertainment, and hotel packages for those who are brave enough to experience this unforgettable event. General admission tickets are $72.95, but Florida resident rates and other discounts are also available.

Especially geared for teens and adults, Halloween Horror Nights transforms the entire theme park into a “dead zone” of unspeakable horrors. Haunted houses at Halloween Horror nights 2010 include: Horror Nights: the Hallow’d Past, Catacombs: Black Death Rising, Legendary Truth: The Wyandot Estate, Zombiegeddon, Hades: The gates of Ruin, Havoc: Dogs of War, The Orphanage: Ashes to Ashes, and Psychoscarepy: Echoes of Shadybrook. Even on the outside, no one is safe. This year’s scare zones include HHN: 20 Years of Fear, The Coven, Fear Revealed, Esqueleto Muerte, Zombie Gras, and Saw's and Steam.

For visitors staying at the Universal Orlando resort this fall, now is the perfect to take advantage of hotel packages and other special deals that will bring you a little too close for comfort to your greatest fears. Choose from the Universal Orlando Package, or one of the Gory Getaway Vacation Packages at the Royal Vacation Package, Quality Inn International or the Quality Inn International. To purchase these packages, call 1-800-711-0080 or book online.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village Offers Free Shuttle Service for Festival-goers

Every Fall Epcot® in the Walt Disney World® Resort transforms into a food and wine lover’s dream with the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival. Event guests looking for an Orlando area hotel to stay in while attending the event will love Fairfield Inn & Suites Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village.

With rates starting from $69, there is no better way to experience world-class cuisine and entertainment at Epcot®. Plus, these Lake Buena Vista accommodations are full of amenities such as complimentary continental breakfast and wireless internet.

Attendees will enjoy:

• Specialty food items

• Culinary events

• Delicious regional foods, wines and beers from around the world

• Demonstrations from renowned chefs and winemakers

• Live musical entertainment each day.
  

The Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival runs from October 1st through November 14, 2010 and is a great way to kick off fall with the world’s tastiest food and drink and exciting entertainment all amidst the backdrop of the famed Walt Disney World® Resort.

Awarded with the 2009 Trip Advisor's Travelers' Choice Award as a Top 10 Family Hotel in the United States, this Orlando area family hotel is playful and accommodating. As an Official Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel, the Fairfield Inn boasts charming hospitality at a great value. Situated by top attractions, this Lake Buena Vista, Orlando hotel is near Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Studios, SeaWorld®, and Orlando Premium Outlets offering upscale shopping. Start your day with complimentary continental breakfast, then purchase your attraction tickets in the lobby and take advantage of convenient hotel shuttle to transport you to your destination. Featuring an array of dining options, the Food Court at this Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel includes pizza, deli sandwiches, ice cream, & Starbucks Coffee. Swimming pools and a children's splash zone create the perfect family environment at this extraordinary hotel, the Fairfield Inn Lake Buena Vista Hotel.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 407-938-9001, or visit www.marriott.com.