Dates have been announced for the 18th Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.   From September 27 – November 11, 2013, you can taste your way around the world at Disney World’s most cultural theme park. All you need is an Epcot ticket to gain access to all the offerings of this festival.

The culinary event is the highlight of the fall season at Disney World as visitors can explore nearly 30 international marketplaces, listen to some of their favorite tunes during the Eat to the Beat Concert Series and attend culinary programs with celebrity chefs and demonstrations. During the festival more than 300 international and national wines will be available, along with more than 76 kinds of international foods.  You can learn about wine and beer at over 300 seminars, and indulge in one of the more than 100,000 desserts served.   End each night with a performance at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series along with a viewing of “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.”

New for the 2013 festival is the marketplace debut of Scotland.  Beers, meads and scotch will be highlights of the marketplace.  Brazil returns after being absent in 2012, while the vegetarian marketplace Terra returns as does Hawaii.  A few of the celebrity chefs set to attend include Warren Brown, Bryan Voltaggio, Rock Harper, Jamie Deen and Paula DaSilva, among others. 

Servings for the sumptuous appetizer sized portions served range from $4-$8; drinks are $3-$6.  Purchase Epcot Disney tickets to be a part of this international flavor-filled festival.

Get ready for a cool summer at SeaWorld Orlando.  The all-new Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is set to open May 24, 2013.  Come explore the biggest and most expansive attraction in SeaWorld Orlando history, featuring a combination of animal encounters with a one-of-a-kind family ride. 

The perspective of the ride will be through the eyes of a penguin and be highlighted by state-of-the-art technologies for adventures that are different every time.  You’ll experience the epic landscape of the South Pole and discover insights into the wildlife that calls the South Pole home.  More than just a new ride, the new “realm” will be the coldest theme park attraction in the world and will include a variety of new experiences for guests.

Details about Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin have revealed the immersive attraction will put guests closer than ever – and out among – a colony of penguins including gentoos, rockhoppers, adelies and kings.  Designers consider the guests’ encounters with the penguins to be the first of their kind in any theme park or zoo in the world.  In all, the new Antarctica area will include a ride, penguin habitat, gift shop and restaurant.

Purchase SeaWorld Orlando tickets for a cool summer adventure in Orlando!

Busch Gardens is opening Madagascar Live! Operation: Vacation May 18, 2013, just in time for summer.  The all-new Busch Gardens show gives visitors the chance to party along with Alex the Lion and his posse of zoo friends as they vacation with guests at Busch Gardens. 

Come celebrate Madagascar Live opening weekend at Busch Gardens Tampa.  Special entertainment will be found throughout the park, including dancers and DJs in Stanleyville, Gwazi and Cheetah Hunt plazas.  Plus, unique animal encounters will be available.  That includes Jack Hanna shows in Gwazi Park, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. May 18 and 19.

Madagascar Live is an original live music show features singers, dancers and pop music performed by a live band.  Songs from the movie and party favorites will be performed as you join Madagascar characters for an excellent vacation adventure.  Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, King Julien, Mort, Skipper, Private, Kowalski, and Rico all create a party atmosphere guests of all ages enjoy.  Plus, after the show visitors have the chance to meet the characters and take photos with them.

As part of the new show, an exclusive experience is being created.  It will include reserved seating for the show, scheduled meet and greet with the characters and a character lunch.  Located at the Stanleyville Theater, the show will debut one the landmark theater has been refurbished. 

 

Attention all Star Wars fans!  Star Wars Weekends will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios from May 17 through June 9, 2013.  The park will be filled with Jedi’s, Wookiees and droids for the annual celebration of all things Star Wars. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each weekend, you can join celebrities and characters for special shows, panels, presentations and more!  Plus, all of the Star Wars Weekends events are included with Disney World tickets. 

Here’s a list of celebrities scheduled to appear during Disney’s Star Wars Weekends:

Weekend I (May 17–19) Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett – Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Captain Rex – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend II (May 24-26)
Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok – Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
Jim Cummings (voice of Hondo Ohnaka – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend III (May 31 – June 2)
Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok – Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar – Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
Sam Witwer (voice of Darth Maul – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend IV (June 7-9)
Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian – Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VIReturn of the Jedi)
Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca – Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back,Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
Tom Kane (voice of Yoda – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

In addition, James Arnold Taylor, Ray Park and Warwick Davis will perform special one-man shows, including:

• “Obi-Wan & Beyond” (each event day) with James Arnold Taylor.
• “Visit to the Maul” (Weekends I and II) features Ray Park and a demonstration of martial arts skills.
• “An Ewok’s Tale – my short story” (Weekends II and III) features Warwick Davis looking into the world of this Star Wars legend.

Disney Stars Wars Weekends features one of the galaxy’s largest gatherings of Star Wars characters all around the theme park, offering photo and autograph opportunities as well as special Star Wars parades, trivia challenges, a Jedi Training Academy, limited edition merchandise and memorabilia, behind the scenes presentations, star conversations and more.  This year’s event also features “Hyperspace Hoopla,” a high-energy show with music, comedy and dancing starring some of the famed Star Wars characters like Ewoks, Wookiees, stormtroopers and Jawas.

Feel the force this summer at Disney World during Star Wars Weekends 2013.

Get ready to rock at Universal Studios this summer.  On Saturday nights from June 1 – July 6 you can watch some of music’s biggest talents performing live during Universal Orlando's Summer Concert Series.   With the purchase of Universal Orlando tickets you can enjoy the live concerts as well as all of Universal’s thrilling rides and attractions. 

The full-lineup of performers includes:

• June 1 – NE-YO
• June 8 – Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush
• June 15 – Gavin DeGraw
• June 22 – Earth, Wind and Fire
• June 29 – Adam Lambert
• July 6 – Kip Moore

All performances are held at the Music Plaza Stage.

Spend the day experiencing all of the thrilling attractions at Universal Studios like the new TRANSFORMERS: The Ride, The Simpsons and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.  Purchase Universal Orlando Park to Park Tickets to access both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure to add even more excitement to your day at the park.  Then, when the sun goes down take in one of the fabulous featured acts of the Summer Concert Series.  All of the entertainment is included with Universal Orlando tickets. 

Dive into Summer Nights at SeaWorld Orlando for sizzling summer fun!  The aquatic theme park is hosting Summer Nights June 22 through August 11, 2013.

This nighttime festivities at SeaWorld Orlando will feature three amazing shows:

• Shamu Rocks – Rock the Night away with Shamu.  More splashing and more flash add to this dazzling show with a rock concert theme. 
• Sea Lions Tonite – Sea Lions Tonite features the uproarious sea lion and otter duo Clyde and Seamore.
• Reflections – A grand finale fireworks and fountain show you watch along the Waterfront Village or seated at Bayside Stadium. 

All three are sure to be the perfect end to your day at SeaWorld.

 

SeaWorld’s all-new attraction – Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin – opens May 24.  The state-of-the-art, interactive ride will take guests on an exciting journey through the dangers and wondrous beauty of the Antarctic as they follow and mimic a young penguin’s adventures. More than just a new ride, the new “realm” will be the coldest theme park attraction in the world and will include a variety of new experiences for guests.  It’s the perfect addition to your day at SeaWorld! 

Manta, SeaWorld’s signature roller coaster, will also be open for rides under the stars. Purchase your discount SeaWorld tickets today to reserve your family fun. Save $10 off adult and kids’ SeaWorld tickets.  Upgrade your ticket to a park combo featuring Aquatica or Busch Gardens or both for an adventure-filled vacation in Orlando.

Diagon Alley

The adventure continues at Universal Orlando Resort!  The theme park has officially announced the expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  The new area will be called “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley” and will bring new rides, a restaurant, and shops based on the Harry Potter Books.

Scheduled to open in 2014, Diagon Alley will expand beyond Islands of Adventure, where the current Wizarding World of Harry Potter is located, into Universal Studios.  The new multi-park experience will bring to life some of the experiences and places found in and around London in the Harry Potter books and films.  Construction is already underway, at the former location of the Jaws ride. 

When Diagon Alley opens guests will be able to travel between Hogsmeade Village aboard the Hogwarts Express to the new London-themed area.  The real, working train passing between the two parks creates a dynamic, multi-park experience.

Gringotts Bank is set to be the featured attraction of Diagon Alley.  A special effects indoor roller coaster is planned for the Bank, while streets surrounding it will be filled with shops, including a Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.  Memorable elements from the Harry Potter books will be integrated into Diagon Alley, with the meticulous detail used to create the Original Wizarding World of Harry Potter showcased.  

More details regarding the Universal Orlando expansion will be coming soon!

Head to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for Summer Nights!  From June 8 through August 18, 2013, you can experience amazing firework displays, along with an end-of-night show – Kinetix – featuring live musicians, singers, dancers and artists from around the world.  

Spend the day at Busch Gardens riding thrilling coasters like Cheetah Hunt, Sheikra and Montu.  Be sure to cool off during your day at the park with attractions such as Congo River Rapids and Stanley Falls.  Don’t miss out on the entertaining shows available either!  Madagascar Live! Operation: Vacation debuts on May 18, and is sure to be popular with park-goers.  Animal attractions add to the African safari theme of Busch Gardens.  Explore Edge of Africa to get up-close to hippos and lions, while the Myombe Reserve is home to gorillas and chimpanzees. 

When the sun sets you can look forward to an amazing fireworks finale every night.  The sky lights up with an incredible aerial display set to popular music.  The best views are from Gwazi Park but you can see the fireworks show from any place in the park.  A nightly performance of Kinetix adds to the Summer Nights entertainment.  Energizing performances featuring modern rock music and pyrotechnic effects start nightly at 9pm at Gwazi Park.

All of the Summer Nights entertainment is included with the purchase of Busch Gardens tickets. 

June 1 – July 6:  Universal Orlando Summer Concert Series
Catch some big stars as they perform Saturday nights during the Summer Concert Series. Concerts are included in the price of admission Universal Orlando Resort. All performances take place on the Music Plaza stage.

June 8 – August 18:  Summer Nights at Busch Gardens Tampa
Stay after dark for a music and acrobatics show every night at Busch Gardens. An amazing fireworks display will end each night.

June 9 – July 27:  Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Epcot
See some of the world’s best tribute bands at Epcot this summer at the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase.  Showtimes are scheduled for 5:45 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. nightly.

June 15:  Night Hike at the Zoo
From 7-10 p.m. experience the sights and sounds of the Central Florida Zoo at night. There will be light refreshments, up-close animal encounters, and a guided flashlight tour of the zoo. Children 5+ are welcome. Call 407-323-4450 ext. 123 to reserve your spot.

June 21-23:  23rd Annual Harvest Festival at Lakeridge Winery
All ages are welcome at this yearly family event at the Lakeridge Winery. There will be stomping of the grapes, live music, complimentary winery tours and tastings, and local artwork on display. Festival runs from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. A $2 donation to benefit Cornerstone Hospice of Lake & Sumter is requested.

June 22 – August 11:  Summer Nights at SeaWorld
See a nighttime spectacular every evening at SeaWorld Orlando during Summer Nights. There will be special night shows like Shamu Rocks and Sea Lions Tonite, capped off by a fireworks spectacular.

Universal Orlando Resort has announced the opening date of TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3D.  The Autobots will arrive to fight off the Decepticons on June 20, 2013. 

The date was first revealed in giant letters early this morning across the Fairwinds Credit Union building.

Photo Credit: Universal Orlando Resort

TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D is a mind-blowing, action-packed ride experience that pushes the limits of technology to place guests in the middle of a larger-than-life battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons. The ride was created under license from Hasbro, Inc. and is based on its iconic TRANSFORMERS brand.

The battle begins when guests enter the NEST facility – the headquarters for the government operation that partners with the Autobots to protect Earth from the Decepticons.  While inside, they are recruited to help protect the AllSpark – a powerful energy source that would allow the Decepticons to destroy the planet. Guests board EVAC – an Autobot created exclusively for the attraction – to transport the AllSpark to safety.  Beware, though, because the Decepticons are in close pursuit.

Purchase Universal Orlando tickets to be one of the first to ride TRANFORMERS: The Ride 3D.