Ready for a swashbuckling New Year’s Eve? Then make your way to Pirate’s Dinner Adventure in Orlando, Florida where you’ll be swinging from the rafters during their Pirate’s Dinner Adventure New Year’s Eve Extravaganza.

With the purchase of Pirate’s Dinner Adventure tickets, you’ll be treated to a multi-million dollar, Broadway-style musical comedy theatre showcasing an action packed adventure. Featuring daring stunts, musical entertainment and a sumptuous Pirate's feast of Caribbean delicacies, all on board an authentically replicated 18th century Spanish Galleon. This adventure has something for everyone!

The New Year’s Eve show begins at 9:30pm, with doors opening at 8:00pm. The dinner menu consists of complimentary appetizers in pre-show, fresh green salad with ranch dressing or cream of vegetable soup, roast chicken leg quarter with roast pork loin accompanied by roast potatoes and Caribbean rice. For this special occasion, complimentary draft beer and soda is served before and during the show. Festivities include a countdown via live remote from Times Square, party favors, party hats, souvenir goblet, champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. There will also be live entertainment with a Tina Turner look-a-like & sound-a-like and DJ party with TITO until 2am

Purchase your discount Pirate Dinner Adventure tickets today to enjoy the celebration!

Bands, Brew & BBQ heats up SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Tampa starting February 11, 2012.  The annual Orlando, Florida event features live bands, specialty craft beer gardens and BBQ from local restaurants as well as the theme parks chefs. 

The Busch Gardens band line-up includes:

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Feb. 12
Bret Michaels – Feb. 19
38 Special – Feb. 26
REO Speedwagon – March 4

Performances are held at Gwazi field at 5pm. 

The SeaWorld Orlando Bands, Brew & BBQ line-up includes:

Foreigner – Feb. 11
Gary Allan – Feb. 12
Trace Adkins – Feb. 18
Kenny Rogers – Feb. 19
Doobie Brothers – Feb. 25
Ronnie Dunn – Feb. 26
Sarah Evans – March 3
Scotty McCreery – March 4

The Sea World Orlando Bands, Brew & BBQ event will feature almost 60 craft beers from 21 different domestic and international breweries.

Bands, Brew & BBQ is included with the purchase of discount SeaWorld tickets and Busch Gardens tickets.

Sea World Orlando is presenting an all-new “Just for Kids” festival this January that features concerts by LazyTown, Max & Ruby, the Doodlebops and Choo-Choo Soul. The festival, which will take place on Saturdays only during January, will also have several family-friendly activities for visitors to enjoy.

During the “Just for Kids” festival, families will also have the change to take advantage to numerous special offers. On event days, parents can rent strollers at half-price, and there are free perks for kids with each paid adult. Those perks include: all-day dining deal, sky tower ride and free Penguins Up-Close, Dolphins Up-Close or Behind the Scenes Tours.

The full line-up of concerts includes:

LazyTown
Saturday, January 14

Max & Ruby’s Musical Playdate
Saturday, January 21

Doodlebops’ Musical Playdate
Saturday, January 28

Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve
Saturday, February 4

All concerts are included with the purchase of discount Sea World tickets. Show times are 11am and 2pm at the Nautilus Theater. Tickets are available first come, first serve on the day of the show, starting at 9am.

SeaWorld Orlando visitors can also explore Shamu’s Party Zone, highlighted by a DJ Dance Party with bubbles, face painting, sea-themed activities and SeaWorld characters like Shamu will be on hand for dancing and photos. Elmo and Abby’s Treasure Hunt is a can’t miss show for kids and guests can also choose to have Breakfast with Elmo and Friends for an additional cost.

Kennedy Space Center is hosting its first-ever “Holidays in Space.”  The event gives guests the opportunity to learn and celebrate the holiday traditions of ISS international partners – Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States – while also providing traditional holiday activities such as ice skating and meeting Santa Claus.

With the purchase of Kennedy Space Center tickets, guests have access to:

Space Skating Rink:  Guests are encouraged to bring their own skates, or rent a pair for a nominal fee, and enjoy skating at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus: Santa Claus will be on hand to greet guests, hear wish lists and pose for holiday photos at Santa’s Launch Control Center.  Mrs. Claus will read space-themed stories, including “What the Moon is Like.”

Carolers: International carolers wearing astronaut flight suites will perform traditional songs like “Silver Bells” and “Let it Snow.”

Kennedy Space Center is also adorned in holiday decorations during “Holidays in Space.”  A large ISS-themed Christmas tree featuring 600 miniature flags lights up the event.

Purchase discount Kennedy Space Center tickets to enjoy this new tradition on the Space Coast.

A vacation in Orlando can be fun and affordable if you reserve one of the closest budget-friendly hotels near Disney World.

Choose from these Orlando hotels to ensure you’ll save some money while enjoying all of the exciting Orlando attractions available in sunny Florida:

1)     Extended Stay Lake Buena Vista: This hotel is designed especially for longer stays with studios featuring fully-equipped kitchens and plenty of work space, plus amenities you won't find in a typical hotel room.  This all-suites hotel features spacious accommodations with a sofa sleeper, television, two-line speaker phone with voicemail, high-speed Internet access, full-size refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, range, separate bath and vanity, hairdryer, and iron.  The Extended Stay Deluxe Lake Buena Vista is conveniently located off Interstate 4, roughly 3 miles from the Walt DisneyWorld® Resort.

2)     Clarion Hotel Maingate: Clarion Hotel Maingate is located just 1.5 miles from the Walt Disney World® Resort and close to other local attractions. The Clarion Hotel Maingate offers scheduled shuttles to the theme parks and is centrally located amongst restaurants, gift shops, convenience stores and more. All rooms have Hi-Speed/Wireless Internet connection, Cable TV with HBO, Coffee Maker with complimentary coffee and more.

3)     Orlando Courtyard Suites: This hotel is only 2.5 miles from Disney World Resorts®. Enjoy your stay in a luxurious one bedroom condo at this great vacation property in Orlando and experience the tranquility of these facilities.  After a long day at the Theme Parks, kick back and relax. Swim in the new beautiful pool, work out in our fitness center, or just take a needed break at the courtyard.

4)     Ramada Gateway: Ramada Gateway Hotel is located in Kissimmee, in the Orlando, Florida area, just one mile from the gates of Walt Disney World®.  The hotel is proud to be part of Walt Disney World® Good Neighbor Hotel and is distinguished by its proximity to the amusement parks, a friendly atmosphere and its quality of facilities and services. Enjoy free scheduled transportation to the major attractions including Disney, SeaWorld and Universal along with the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Outlet.

5)     Holiday Inn Main Gate East: The full-service Holiday Inn Main Gate East is conveniently located three miles from Walt Disney World® Resort. The hotel features an outdoor heated pool, children's pool, modular playground, kids' theater and a video arcade. The hotel provides complimentary scheduled shuttle service to Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park at Walt Disney World® Resort.

6)     Seralago Hotel: Conveniently located in the Kissimmee area, just 5 miles from Disney World Theme Parks, the Seralago Hotel & Suites offers one of the best values near the Walt Disney World® Resort. Relax in one of the 614 rooms and suites; swim in the 2 heated, Olympic-style swimming pools or let the kids splash in our children’s pool. Seralago is proud to have been accepted to the Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel program since its inception.

7)     Destiny Palms Hotel: Located less than one mile from Disney Animal Kingdom, less than three miles from the Main Entrance to the Walt Disney World Resort area and just minutes from everything Orlando/Kissimmee has to offer, Destiny Palms Maingate West is the perfect choice for your family vacation.

8)     Celebration Suites: Let your family experience the magic of a Central Florida vacation and the comfort of home at the area’s largest suites with over 650 square feet of living space that comfortably sleeps six.  Plus, this hotel is just 1.5 miles from Disney Parks and next door to Old Town entertainment center. 

9)     Country Inn & Suites Maingate: The Country Inn & Suites Orlando hotel is value packed with spacious rooms and modern amenities. Accented with charming décor, this Orlando hotel is conveniently located at the new Calypso Cay resort complex near all the major Orlando attractions, and just 4 miles from Disney World. They offer a long list of amenities include a complimentary continental breakfast, four outdoor pools, three water slides, two hot tubs, one 18 hole mini-golf course, free high-speed Internet access and scheduled shuttle service to all the major theme parks.

10)   Quality Inn Royale Parc Suites: Evoking the quaint charm of New Orleans’ French Quarter, The Quality Suites Royale Parc Suites offers the best value for your vacation dollars and is only 5 miles from Disney World Theme Parks. The beautifully designed hotel in Kissimmee offers the best of all worlds, from an ideal location near Orlando’s most popular attractions, incredible dining spots and unparalleled shopping areas to the gracious amenities and luxurious privacy that you and your family deserve.

When planning a vacation in Orlando, many families are looking to find the closest hotels to Disney World to make their time in the sunny state convenient and comfortable. 

Here is a helpful guide of places to stay in Orlando that put just minutes from the magic:

1)     Blue Heron Beach Resort: With the entrance of Disney World less than one mile away, the resort is located close to all area attractions.  The Blue Heron Beach Resort offers over 280 residences – one, two or three bedroom luxury condominiums. Each features tile foyers, baths and kitchens. Guests will enjoy a private balcony, fully equipped kitchens, which include granite counter tops, dishwasher, full oven, and microwave.  Distance to Disney World Theme Parks: 1 mile.

2)      WorldQuest Resort: The Mediterranean-inspired WorldQuest Orlando Resort is the perfect all-suite hotel for your Florida vacation. WorldQuest Orlando Resort is located just one mile from Walt Disney World Orlando. Each of the condominium-style 2 and 3 bedroom suites features a full kitchen and separate living and sleeping areas. Custom furnishings, plush bedding, granite countertops and top-of-the-line appliances further enhance your WorldQuest Orlando Resort home away from home.  Distance from Disney World Theme Parks: 1 mile.

3)     Lake Buena Vista Resort: Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa is a new hotel-condominium resort. They are located just 2 miles from Disney and adjacent to the Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlet Mall. Guests will enjoy the Resort Style Zero Entry Pool with Pirate Ship Waterslide, Lanis Luau Poolside Snack & Beverage Bar, Reflections Full Service Spa & Salon, Frankie Farrells Irish Pub, plus Pizza Hut Express Cafe and Mini Market.  Distance from Disney World Theme Parks: 2 Miles.

4)     Best Western Lake Buena Vista:  Located in the Walt Disney World Resort, the Best Western Lake Buena Vista is within walking distance to Downtown Disney. This full service, interior corridor hotel offers continuous shuttle transportation to the Walt Disney World Theme Parks daily.  Distance from Disney World Theme Parks: 3 miles.

5)     Hawthorn Suites Lake Buena Vista: The hotel features a complimentary full hot buffet breakfast daily and two hour social reception Monday-Thursday. An outdoor heated pool, fitness center, BBQ grills, basketball court and Jacuzzi are available to help you wind down after a day in Orlando, Florida.  This hotel offers free scheduled shuttles to the Disney theme parks.  Distance from Disney World Theme Parks: 3 miles.

6)     Star Island Resort: Star Island Resort and Club is located close to Walt Disney World Resort and is close to all popular central Florida theme parks, shopping malls and a variety of dining and entertainment options. Our Mediterranean styled Resort and Spa features mini suites to three bedroom deluxe villas that are designed for your ultimate comfort.  Distance from Disney World Theme Parks: 4 miles.

7)     Blue Tree Resort: The Blue Tree Resort offers free shuttle service to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure and Sea World.  Blue Tree Resort puts all the magic and fun right on your doorstep. They are located in the heart of Central Florida just minutes away from Orlando’s most famous theme parks. Blue Tree Resort is the perfect destination for business travelers, families and couples looking for all the comforts of home away from home. Distance from Disney World Theme Parks: 4 miles.

8)     Gaylord Palms Orlando: Only 5 minutes away from the main gates of Disney World, Orlando theme park fun is right at your doorstep. All while delivering a truly unique and exciting Florida experience unlike anything that has ever been seen before.  Few other places can summon such an immediate response as the atrium of Gaylord Palms Resort and Spa. You'll be awestruck by the resort's signature glass dome, where the Florida experience is showcased in all its glory, from the history and old-world charm of St. Augustine to the colorful and festive island spirit of Key West, to the mysterious waters and cypress of the Everglades. Distance to Disney World Theme Parks: 4 miles.

9)     Melia Orlando Suite Hotel:  Located in the award-winning village of Celebration and minutes from the gates of the Walt Disney World® theme parks, Melia Orlando Hotel features 240 luxuriously appointed one and two bedroom accommodations, featuring thoughtfully composed living areas, complete kitchens and furnished balconies overlooking your choice of the spectacular infinity pool or lush Florida landscape. Distance from Disney World Theme Parks: 8 miles.

10)  Bahama Bay Resort: A 70-acre haven on the banks of Lake Davenport, the Caribbean-style Bahama Bay Resort features condominium vacation rentals.  Local attractions include the Walt Disney World® Resort, which is approximately six miles away. Four heated outdoor pools and two whirlpools are available on site, as well as a children's pool with water play features. Active guests will enjoy the fitness center, walking trails, tennis courts, beach volleyball, basketball, white sand beach, fishing dock, and a 17,000-square-foot recreation center and clubhouse. Distance from Disney World Theme Parks: 6 miles.

Universal Orlando Resort has announced a significant expansion for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal Orlando theme park. Universal Studios Hollywood is also getting its very own Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Details regarding the expansion at the Universal Orlando Theme Park are scarce, but rumors are speculating the expansion will not be at the Islands of Adventure area, where Harry Potter Park is located now, but in Universal Studios. In fact, some rumors suggest the expansion is behind the closing the Jaws ride in early 2012.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is divided into two sections: Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade Village. Hogsmeade Village is home to a variety of stores dedicated to the all things Harry Potter. At the Hogsmeade entrance to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visitors immediately see the Hogwarts Express engine and are transported to a world they’ve only read about or seen in the movies. Ollivander’s Wand Shop, Zonko’s Joke Shop, Dervish and Banges, the Owl Post Office and Honeyduke’s Sweet Emporium are all located here. The Three Broomsticks is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner where British fare is served, and of course, butterbeer. The non-alcoholic butterbeer was meticulously researched and the recipe was approved by Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling.

The featured ride at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction is the Forbidden Journey Ride, located at the enormous Hogwarts Castle. Universal Theme Park knew the lines for the ride would be long, so the queue for the line includes animated paintings, a lecture from Headmaster Dumbledore and other unique features that make the wait time much more interesting. The ride itself is a simulated virtual rollercoaster ride, in which a huge screen recreates the Castle and lake beyond as Harry Potter flies ahead of you on his trusty broomstick. The ride takes you to the Forbidden Forest, to a Quidditch pitch match and you try and outrun the Dementors of Azkaban, among many other ride elements.

Purchase discount Universal Orlando tickets to explore everything Harry Potter!

Disney World Orlando has announced the Stars Wars Weekend dates for 2012.  Star Wars Weekends will return May 18 and last through June 10 at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  The highlight of the event is 3D Star Tours – The Adventures Continue attraction that debuted in Summer 2011. 

The Star Wars Weekends will take place:

• May 18-20
• May 25-27
• June 1-3
• June 8-10

Disney Star 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.

Purchase your Disney tickets now to feel the force at Stars Wars Weekends 2012.

Searching for a way to have some family fun this New Year’s Eve?  Then, make your way to DisneyQuest at Downtown Disney on December 31 because they are hosting a family-friendly New Year’s Eve event from 8pm-1am. 

Kids will be entertained with a DJ and a dance party, plus have unlimited access to all the games and DisneyQuest attractions including the popular Buzz Lightyear’s Astroblasters, Virtual Jungle Cruise and CyberSpace Mountain.  When the clock strikes midnight, guests will be treated to a confetti drop and festive party favors. 

Walt Disney World Orlando will have special New Year’s Eve fun planned at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including spectacular firework shows.  Purchase discount Disney tickets today to be sure you’ll have a magical New Year!

SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration becomes a nightly event starting tomorrow, December 16, 2011.  The event, which features elaborate stage productions, nightly fireworks, live music and a variety of beautiful decorations that bring the holidays to life.  Plus, the Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld is included with the purchase of SeaWorld Orlandotickets.

One of the highlights of the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration is the Sea of Trees, which has been expanded this year to include 100 trees around the park’s center lake, each twinkling, lighted and choreographed to holiday tunes.  Programmed performances are scheduled several times, throughout the night.

New for the 2011 season is the show “O Wondrous Night – The Greatest Story Never Told.”  The 30-minute show features puppetry and dance, backed by traditional holiday music. The “Never Told” aspect of the show comes from the perspective in which it is told, as the original Christmas story is told through the eyes of the animals present. Real animals take the stage in a magical moment of the show. Look for sheep, doves, an alpaca, an ox and three camels.  Over 35-songs are included in the show, weaving in a variety of styles, from somber to joyous.

Visitors will also want to make time for  Winter Wonderland on Ice!, at the Bayside Stadium, is an ice skating extravaganza featuring that is highlighted by water fountains, fireworks and cutting edge skate routines.  Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountains Finale celebrates the season with soaring fountains, luminous lights and festive fireworks, choreographed to popular Christmas carols.  Other shows popular at Sea World Orlando include Clyde and Seamore's Countdown to Christmas, Shamu Christmas Miracles and A Sesame Street Christmas. 

Purchase discount Sea World tickets to splash into the holidays at SeaWorld!

LEGOLAND Florida may have just opened on October 15th, but they are already making waves in Orlando by announcing details about an all-new LEGOLAND Waterpark.  The LEGOLAND Waterpark is set to open sometime in Summer 2012. 

The waterpark will be geared towards kids ages 2-12 and feature a wave pool, lazy river, tube slides and an interactive water-play structure.

Some of the key attractions for the new water park include:

• LEGO Wave Pool - Catch a gentle wave or cool off in this pool where the waves are just big enough for all ages to enjoy

• Twin Chasers - Friends ride tubes 375 feet down an intertwining pair of enclosed water slides before plunging into a pool below

• Splash Out - The thrill seekers ascend to the tallest point of the water park attraction and choose from one of three unique slides, then speed down a 60-foot drop and "splash out" into the water below

• Joker Soaker - An interactive playground with various lengths, heights and types of slides. Wade in the surrounding pool and experience a torrential spill from a 300-gallon bucket

• Build-A-Raft River - Together families can imagine, design and build a unique LEGO vessel and set afloat on a maiden voyage around the 1000-foot-long lazy river

• DUPLO® Splash Safari - A water play area for toddlers with shorter slides and interactive, larger-than-life DUPLO creatures

Guests who purchase LEGOLAND Florida tickets can upgrade to gain access to the waterpark for an additional $12 per person (children under 3 are $3). 

Join Gaylord Palms for the ICE! Shrek the Halls and Kung Fu Panda SNOW! DreamWorks Experiences this holiday season.

The 4.5-acre Gaylord Palms Resort Orlando transforms into a magical winter wonderland during the winter season, and this year the festivities are bigger and better than ever thanks to a partnership with DreamWorks entertainment.  Gaylord Palms’ signature ICE! event is a 16,000 square foot playground with ice sculptures, five 30-foot slides made of ice and an all-new tribute to the DreamWorks classic, Shrek the Halls.  Guests can also meet Shrek, Fiona and Puss in Boots.   

This year’s holiday experience at Gaylord Palms Orlando FL also includes Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW! It features 130-tons of snow, fresh made daily. Kids of all ages are invited to make snowmen, forts and play in over 3-feet snow. Guests can also explore the village courtyard inside the Valley of Peace by crawling through snow tunnels, spanning bridges above the snow and sliding down hills of the all-new 64-foot pagoda slide. Snowballs fights with Tai Ling and Lord Shen, as well as some of their other evil henchmen, are also planned.

Dress appropriately for the events as the ICE! Experience is kept at 9 degrees Fahrenheit and the SNOW! Event at 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Be sure to plan your cool holiday vacation at Gaylord Palms Orlando by reserving a Gaylord Palms hotel room today.

The Candlelight Processional at Epcot officially began last week, on November 25, 2011, with celebrity Narrator Mira Sorvino.

Now, Epcot at Walt Disney World Orlando has announced the Chita Rivera will fill the last vacant celebrity narrator dates.  She will host the Epcot Candlelight Processional December 16-18, 2011. 

The Candlelight Processional is features a celebrity narrator retelling the traditional Christmas story accompanied by a mass choir and 50-piece orchestra.  The events is located at the America Gardens Theatre and is performed three times nightly, at 5:00pm and 6:45pm and 8:00pm. Plus, the Candlelight Processional at Epcot is included with the purchase of a Disney ticket. However, seats do fill up fast so it is best to arrive early for your chance to witness this enchanting event.

The schedule and narrators for the 2011 event are as follows:

11/25–11/27 — Mira Sorvino
11/28–12/01 — Michael W. Smith
12/02–12/03 — Whoopi Goldberg
12/04–12/06 — Edward James Olmos (6:45 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. shows only)
12/07–12/09 — Isabella Rossellini
12/10–12/12 — Neil Patrick Harris
12/13–12/15 — Lorraine Bracco
12/16–12/18 — Chita Rivera
12/19–12/21 — Trace Adkins
12/22–12/24 — Susan Lucci
12/25–12/27 — Blair Underwood
12/28–12/30 — Marlee Matlin