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It’s the Deal Season for Florida Residents!

Take advantage of Orlando's many unique attractions and incredible discounts. With many Orlando-area hotels, shows and attractions offering Florida resident deals, there is no better time to visit Orlando and experience the adventure everyone is talking about!

Here are some awesome Florida Resident Deals for Orlando-area attractions!

• Gatorland - Step into the wild world of Central Florida's wetlands with a special admission price of only $9.99 through Feb. 26.
• Cirque du Soleil La Nouba - Experience this incredible production at Downtown Disney for 20% off admission any Tuesday through Friday until March 30.

• Kennedy Space Center - Feel what it's like to blast into space all year long with an annual pass available for only $50 through March 7.

• Walt Disney World Resort - Visit three Disney theme parks or pick your favorite and keep going back with the special $99 Wild for 3 Pass available for purchase until May 21 (must be used by May 24). For those hot summer days, an after 2 p.m. annual pass to the water parks is also available.
• Universal Orlando Resort - Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter every week with a Weekday Annual pass for only $114.99.
• SeaWorld Orlando - Feed all your favorite sea animals this year with an Annual Pass for $119.99 that includes free parking plus in-park discounts.

 

Need somewhere to stay when visiting your favorite Orlando attractions? We got you covered with these hotel accommodation discounts!

•  Save 35% on Walt Disney World hotel reservations through March 7.
• Save 36% on Universal Orlando hotel reservations through early June.
• Register online for the Florida Residents Club at the Nick Hotel and receive a variety of discounts including 20% off accommodations in a family suite, $50 off an Ultimate Sliming Experience, 10% off Food and Beverage during your entire stay, 10% off 4-D Experience films and 10% off cabana rentals.

 

Unique Orlando Gifts and Experiences for Valentine’s Day

It's already February! That means there are only a few days before Valentine's Day. Do you know what you're doing for that special someone? If your automatic answer is the standard dinner-chocolates-and-flowers, consider trying something a little more memorable. Whether you've been dating for a while, just starting, or even if you're planning on asking someone out for the first time, Orlando has a variety of unparalleled Valentine's activities in multiple price ranges to make sure your sweetheart appreciates how much you care and admires your original, romantic flair. Shhh...we won't tell where you got the ideas!

Orlando Balloon Rides
What could be more romantic than a hot air balloon ride at dawn over beautiful Central Florida? Take your special someone on a dream date in the clouds, with a champagne toast and buffet breakfast included! No one will forget a Valentine's Day that starts like this. Tickets are $175 per person.

SeaWorld's Beluga Interaction
If you're lucky enough to live in Orlando, you might take advantage of the unique gift options offered only at theme parks like SeaWorld, where you can enter the water and interact with beautiful and friendly beluga whales. Share an unforgettable experience with the one you love in this rare opportunity. Prices start at $99 per person after park admission.

Universal VIP Experience
You've never seen Universal Orlando like this before, and the VIP treatment won't be lost on your partner. Feel like a couple of A-listers on this guided tour through one of Orlando's top parks, including free refreshments, valet parking, and Universal Express to skip waiting in lines! Choose between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, or upgrade to tour both with star-treatment.

Walt Disney World's Wild Africa Trek
Give the ultimate gift of an unforgettable adventure, perfect for animal lovers or would-be safari-ers. Journey just above Nile Crocodiles across a suspended rope bridge, get a close-up look at massive hippos, and enjoy the stunning views of giraffes and rhinos from an exclusive safari camp. Create a unique memory with your date as you view wild African creatures in their native habitat, and relive the adventure at home with a CD of photos taken along the way, included with the tour. Prices start at $189 per person plus park admission.

Mount Dora Art Festival
If you want to find a one-of-a-kind gift guaranteed to wow your significant other, you could take a little trip to the free Mount Dora Art Festival this weekend, Feb. 4 - 5. From beautiful handmade jewelry to paintings, pottery, and more, there's sure to be something perfect and completely out of the ordinary, often at prices cheaper than typical store-bought gifts. If you're really stealthy, you could bring your lover along and make a relaxing day out of it, watch to see what things he or she likes, and when the kettle corn draws your date's attention, make an excuse to go back and purchase the gift they picked out. It doesn't get any easier to shop for someone!

Paddleboard Yoga
A unique experience in Orlando doesn't have to break the bank; take your date for a Paddleboard Yoga session on Orlando's many lovely lakes. A fun and relaxing adventure, Paddleboard Yoga is perfect for nature-lovers, health-nuts, and adventure-seekers alike. Prices start at just $25 per person.

Painting with a Twist
Is your honey creative or artsy? If so, this might be the perfect place for a Valentine's Day date. Bring a bottle of wine and create a delightful work of art with the help and guidance of professional artists. Canvases, brushes and paint are provided- all you have to do is bring your beau or lady. Valentine's Day classes for couples are $45 per seat- and you get to take home your paintings!

Texas de Brazil
This isn't your typical Valentine's Day dinner. Texas de Brazil offers an incredible dining experience unlike any other, perfect for a romantic and remarkable evening. Browse a wide selection of fresh salads and appetizers, then turn your table card to green when you're ready for the main course! Servers shave various melt-in-your-mouth meats off long skewers right onto your plate, as often and as much as you want. Come hungry and guarantee a good time for yourself and your sweetie. Regular dinner prices start at  $46.99 per person.

Truffles and Trifles Cooking Classes
Make a date out of preparing the meal as well as eating it! Truffles and Trifles offers several evenings of Valentine's Day themed cooking classes that will ensure a delicious meal and a fun, romantic night together. Prices start at $140 per couple.

The Year Ahead - What's New at Orlando's Theme Parks in 2012

The New Year has arrived and in 2012, Orlando will offer guests a plethora of exciting new attractions to enjoy at its world-class theme parks!  Here are just a few examples of new thrills to look forward to this year:

SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment
SeaWorld Orlando will open TurtleTrek, featuring a first-of-its-kind 3-D/360-degree dome shaped theater that will immerse guests in the underwater world, taking them on the journey of a sea turtle's life cycle. Discovery Cove will unveil the brand new Freshwater Oasis, featuring wading adventures and face-to-face encounters with otters and marmosets.

Universal Orlando Resort
Islands of Adventure's popular attraction, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, will be completely reanimated in digital high-definition to be sharper and more realistic than ever before. Universal Studios Florida will open an all new 3-D attraction based on the blockbuster film, Despicable Me. Guests will be trained by Gru, the world's greatest villain, and transformed into an army of mischievous, scene-stealing minions that descend upon his lair. Universal's CityWalk will expand its entertainment options to include the new Hollywood Drive-In Golf attraction, featuring two 18-hole movie-themed mini-golf courses.

Walt Disney World Resort
Disney's Magic Kingdom will unveil the largest expansion in its history with the newly expanded Fantasyland area, set to open in phases and featuring new attractions such as Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant and Storybook Circus. The Magic Kingdom will also introduce an interactive role-play adventure game in January. Participants will become apprentice sorcerers on an adventure to defeat an army of Disney Villians.

LEGOLAND Florida
LEGOLAND Florida will add an accompanying water park to feature wave pools, water slides, a build-a-raft lazy river and DUPLO Splash Safari for toddlers to its newly opened theme park.

Orlando Named Top Destination in 2012

Orlando is one of the world's top destinations for 2012, according to an article in CNN Travel. Based on recommendations from four of the world's top travel experts, the undiscovered Orlando and the vibrant food scene is a must-see. Robert Reid, U.S. Travel Editor for Lonely Planet, urged tourists to discover Orlando's popular lakes, museums and scenic neighborhoods, like the hidden, bohemian "Milk District."

Orlando In The "End Zone" for Bowl Week

Are you ready for some football? Then Orlando is the place to be this week! Fans nationwide are gearing up for the Capital One and Champs Sports Bowl games in Orlando taking place inside the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Despite the games being televised on ESPN, you don't want to miss out on all of the events and happenings in Orlando during this spectacular sporting event!

Here's the scoop:

What: 2011 Champs Sports Bowl
When: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 29
Where: Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium
Who: Florida State Seminoles vs. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame

What: 2012 Capital One Bowl
When: 1 p.m. Jan. 2
Where: Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium
Who: South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Individual tickets start at $32 for the 2011 Champs Sports Bowl and at $52 for the 2012 Capital One Bowl.  Tickets and a complete list of events are available at fcsports.com.

For more special events in Orlando, check out our calendar of events.

Festive New Year's Eve Drinks, Orlando-style!

Celebrating the holidays or ringing in the New Year in Orlando? Nothing kicks up the party like festive drinks to celebrate the end of 2011! Welcome the New Year with a few bubbly, delicious holiday cocktails found only in Orlando. We've also included recipes to try these concoctions at home! Let the parties begin and Happy New Year!

"Coquito" (Latin Style Eggnog) at Cuba Libre restaurant

Recipe:

3 cans of Coco Lopez coconut cream
2 cans condensed milk
1 can of evaporated milk
1 teaspoon of freshly ground cinnamon
6 egg yolks pasteurized
1 cup of Cuba Libre white rum
1 cup of Chairmans spiced rum
1/3 of a fresh vanilla bean stick, scrape seeds only
 
Combine all ingredients in a blender till smooth. Refrigerate Overnight and serve cold.

The "Angry Dragon" found at CRAVE Orlando

Recipe:

1.25 oz Bacardi Dragon Berry
.75 oz Soho Lychee
.5 oz Cranberry Juice (white and red)
.5 oz Sweet & Sour

Shake over ice and strain. Sugar the rim and decorate with citrus zest.

"Holiday Spice" found at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando Resort

Recipe:

Spiced Rum
Mango Liquor
Pineapple Juice
Splash of Grenadine

Shake over ice and serve.

Top 5 “Must Know” Holiday Shopping Tips in Orlando

There's no other place like Orlando for making lasting memories or finding memorable gifts!  Make the best out of your shopping experience with these insider tips for shopping in Orlando this holiday season.

1. Parking Made Easy - The major shopping centers in Orlando make it easy to park, if you know where to go. Free covered parking garage is available at the Orlando Premium Outlets - Vineland Ave.  At the Orlando Premium Outlets - International Drive, find plenty of spaces by Oakridge Road heading toward the Guest Services Center, Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet and Neiman Marcus Last Call.  The Mall at Millenia also has plenty of parking spaces by the Food Court entrance. Or, consider valet parking to remove any stress of finding the perfect spot.

2. Plan Your Attack - Map out your shopping spree before you go by downloading it first from the desired shopping location's official website.  Paper maps are also available at Guest Services Centers.

3. Find the Discounts - Many area shopping centers allow guests to register online for a printable VIP coupon book or pick them up at the Guest Services Center. At the Orlando Premium Outlets - Vineland Ave, for example, coupons are also available at the Food Court information desk. Visit Orlando's Official Visitors Center offers a free Orlando Magicard that features some shopping discounts among many other options.

4. At the Theme Parks - While happy families enjoy the theme park action, happy shoppers can do their own thing. The best time to shop inside the theme park gates is from opening hours until mid-afternoon in order to avoid crowds buying souvenirs as they head out for the day. Theme park merchandise is also available outside of the gates. For example, the World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney Marketplace is the largest Disney character store on Earth!

5. Get online - Be sure to check out the website of the shopping center before you go as many list special deals at individual stores. If you're savvy with social media, don't miss the wide array of check-in specials that venues offer on Foursquare.

SeaWorld Announces Three New Orlando Attractions

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment plans to make a big splash in 2012 and 2013 with the announcement of three new family-friendly attractions. 

 TurtleTrek at SeaWorld Orlando, spring 2012

Combining naturalistic habitats and a first-of-its-kind theatre experience, TurtleTrek aims to inspire and educate. The journey begins with two habitats to explore, one with freshwater fish and manatees and another home to more than 1,500 saltwater fish and more than a dozen sea turtles. Next in a 3-D/360-degree dome theatre with views around and above, guests experience a "turtle's eye view" of the life of a sea turtle. Referred to as "high-reality" because the technology for the state-of-the-art theatre goes beyond high definition, the movie consists of two films that run simultaneously - one is for the left eye and the other for the right.

Freshwater Oasis at Discovery Cove, spring 2012

Adding to the allure of this limited-admission, all-inclusive tropical resort where guests swim with dolphins, the new Freshwater Oasis attraction pairs swimming and wading under a rainforest canopy with face-to-face encounters with otters and marmoset monkeys.

Antarctica - Empire of the Penguin at SeaWorld Orlando, spring 2013

As the largest expansion in SeaWorld Orlando's history, Antarctica - Empire of the Penguin will transport guests to the bottom of the world, Antarctica, for an experience through the eyes of an Empire Penguin. While more specific details have not been revealed, SeaWorld has described the attraction as combining closer-then-ever animal connections with state-of-the-art interactive ride technologies for adventures that are different each time.

This Week in Orlando: Major Music Festival, Parades & Holiday Celebrations

From a brand new music festival to parades and holiday kick-off events, Orlando is rockin' with exciting events Nov. 7 - 13:

Orlando Calling, Nov. 12 - 13
Featuring four stages, this new music fest will present a diverse line-up of American music genres, including blues, country, rock, indie, alternative, folk and R&B. Headliners include The Killers, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band and Kid Rock. The festival will also include performances by emerging talent from the Central Florida area. Admission starts at $93.25 for a one-day pass and $170.50 for both days.

A Celebration of the Harry Potter Films, Nov. 11 - 13
A dream come true for all Harry Potter fans, Universal Studios Orlando is hosting an exclusive Harry Potter movie celebration that includes screenings of all eight films, autograph signings and Q&A sessions with the cast. Celebrate favorite memories and stories of Harry potter with filmmakers, cast members and fellow fans during this three-day special event.

Festival of Trees, Nov. 11 - 20
Experience Central Florida's own winter wonderland during Festival of Trees the Orlando Museum of Art. Featuring designer trees and vignettes with daily entertainment provided by local area dance groups and choirs the festive event also offers trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses and decorative accessories available for purchase. The event runs daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children.

Festival of the Masters, Nov. 11 - 13
Showcasing one-of-a-kind paintings and limited-edition jewelry and sculptures, this prestigious show is ranked among the country's finest outdoor art festivals. Enjoy the amazing chalk art, live music, specialty foods and family-friendly activities with more than 150 award-winning artists at Downtown Disney Nov. 11-12 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Light Up UCF, Nov. 11 - Jan. 1
This annual tradition is a perfect holiday outing for the entire family. Enjoy a holiday movie under the stars,take a whirl on the outdoor ice-skating rink and become mesmorized by the nightly light showfeaturing more than 75,000 individual lights dancing to holiday music. Admission to the event is free, however attraction prices vary.

Veteran's Parade, Nov. 12
Join Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and his Veterans Advisory Council to honor the courageous men and women of our armed forces on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. The parade showcase a variety of active duty military, high school marching bands, floats featured in Tampa's Gasparilla parade and more. Admission is free.

Come Out With Pride, Nov. 13
Known as one of the most colorful and friendly gay pride parades in the Florida, this event is also the largest LGBT showcase of businesses and organizations in Orlando that support the gay community.  Stroll through vendor booths around Lake Eola beginning at noon before the parade kicks off at 4 p.m. Admission is free.

Thanksgiving Dinner is Grand in Orlando

If you're in Orlando for Thanksgiving, you won't be disappointed with our dining options. Nov. 24 isn't just a time when families get together at home, it's also a time when many of Orlando's best restaurants roll out the red carpet and serve up delicious buffets and sumptuous meals, all in honor of Turkey Day! Can't decide where to go? Here is a list of just a few of the many Thanksgiving dining options you'll find here in Orlando.

 The Colombia Restaurant in Downtown Celebration offers Thanksgiving meals with a Spanish twist. Indulge in traditional servings like turkey and stuffing as well as non-traditional options like pumpkin flan and gazpacho soup. $19.95, adults; $5.95, children 10 and younger

The Waldorf Astoria Orlando's restaurants offer up true Floridian-style Thanksgiving dinners, with fresh seafood included as a main course and a lavish dessert buffet.

Walt Disney World's Swan and Dolphin Resort restaurants all offer Thanksgiving meals for every taste and preference. If you're aiming for high-end gourmet, try out Todd English's bluezoo restaurant, featuring Pasture Prime Farms Red Bourbon turkey.

Try Thanksgiving Greek-style at the Taverna Opa located in Pointe Orlando. Offerings include lamb for the main course and yogurt with walnuts and honey for dessert. $25 per person

Downtown Disney's three signature restaurants will offer prix-fix Thanksgiving meal options. Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe's dinner is $42 per person and features gourmet offerings like duck confit tart and whole roasted poussin with butternut puree. For seafood lovers, Fulton's Crab House is offering a meal for $32.95 for adults and $15.95 for children. Portobello has a $33.95 prix-fix dinner for adults and $14.95 for children featuring sweet potato bisque, roasted turkey breast with rosemary gravy, pancetta and apple dressing.

Celebrate Island-style at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando. The buffet meal includes Polynesian-inspired treats like smoked seafood and sushi and entertainment the whole family will love, with live hula dancers, Universal Orlando Resort characters and a face painter. $48, adults including champagne; $24 for children 12 and younger, free for children 3 and younder.

Norman's at the Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes doesn't disappoint. Indulge in a three-course menu showcasing holiday-inspired creations and the famed restaurant's signature dishes. $85 per person