Disney and Verizon Team Up to Create Cool Cell Phone Park Services

Gone are the days of walking around Walt Disney World with a park map stretched out; gone are the days of anxiously waiting in line to ask a guest services person where the nearest bathroom is. And no more Googling online to find out what the newest attractions or on-goings are at Disney. Instead, guests will soon be able to consult something that’s already attached to their heads or hands for a good portion of the day – their cell phone.

Verizon and Disney have teamed up to make enjoying the parks easier and even more fun. As part of a multi-year deal, the partnership allows guests to access a personal tour guide right in their wireless phone. Beginning early 2009, guests will be able to use Verizon wireless technology to find a wide variety of real-time information about the park. They’ll be able to locate shows, restaurants, and Disney characters anywhere inside the parks; get availability information for attractions; access mobile games; receive messages from characters and more.

Verizon wireless phones will also be integrated into new services and attractions at the park, such as the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an ultra-interactive attraction coming to Epcot in early 2009. In this new attraction based on the Disney animated hit, guests will team up with members of Team Possible to save the world from evil villains and their crazy inventions; using an official Verizon Wireless “Kimmunicator” (provided at kiosks throughout the park), they’ll maneuver through the various World Showcase pavilions, go on unique missions, and save the day. And because of the Disney-Verizon partnership, Verizon users can also expect to enjoy a better, stronger network from within the Walt Disney World theme parks.

“With more than 90 percent of families bringing a mobile phone into our Parks, our objective was to enhance the magical Disney experience through innovative wireless technology. Imagine receiving up to the minute tips on special Park activities with just the touch of a button or receiving a call from Buzz Lightyear welcoming you to the Magic Kingdom,” said Jay Rasulo, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

This latest Disney deal is part of a company initiative to enhance park guest’s experiences using the latest technologies. For example, Disney partnered with Google in June to create a 3-D tour of Walt Disney World resort complete with direct links to Disney’s online travel-planning tours. And last year, Disney launched an all-new interactive cable network, Disney Travel on Demand, in which viewers can press a button on their remote control and receive a phone call from a travel agent.

There’s no doubt that Disney keeps getting better and better, and though guests will have to wait until the New Year to start enjoying fun features on their Verizon phone, there’s no time like the present to book your Disney World Vacation! You can start by getting discount Disney tickets right here at DWTickets.com. Then be sure to pack your Verizon cell phone and get ready for some high-tech fun.

Bolt Launches into Theaters and Walt Disney World

Though Walt Disney World is undoubtedly awesome for its fun and amazing Orlando theme parks, there would never have been a single park at all if it weren’t for Disney animation. That said, we hope you’re as excited as we are about the debut of the latest Walt Disney Pictures production, Bolt, which hit theaters on November 17th. This computer-animated film about a frisky dog with a superhero complex is sure to delight Disney fans everywhere and bring a lot of future fun to the parks, as well.

Bolt is the story of a super-dog (voiced by John Travolta) who’s only super when the cameras are rolling. The star of a hit TV show, Bolt faces adventure, danger, and intrigue on a daily basis along with his screen partner Penny (voiced by Miley Cyrus). It’s all fun and games until Bolt is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, where the real adventure begins. Still operating under the delusion that his super-powers are real, Bolt embarks on a journey back home with two hilarious companions, a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens and a TV-obsessed hamster in a plastic ball named Rhino. Together, the three work as a team as they learn that you don’t have to have powers to be a hero.

Like many other films by executive producer John Lasseter (the mind behind Finding Nemo and The Incredibles), Bolt is wildly funny, smart, and filled with a lot of heart. It’s being called the first in-house Disney movie to compare to the gems of Pixar and Dreamworks. And since Bolt was animated in 3D, the film features crystal clear, super-sharp imagery. Unlike other films that use cheesy 3D in-your-face ploys, Bolt doesn’t fling things at its viewers so much as make them feel as though they’re within the movie’s environment. Though watching Bolt in 3D will generally cost a bit more, it’s absolutely worth it to see the high-quality animation craftsmanship that went into the film.

While you’re in Orlando, be sure to take a break from park-hopping to catch this latest Disney flick; we highly recommend the AMC Pleasure Island 24 Theatres Complex at Downtown Disney. With the complex’s bright Art Deco design, impeccable maintenance, loveseat-style stadium seating, and THX Surround Sound and Sony Dynamic Digital Sound, you’ll be able to enjoy Bolt in all its glory. The AMC Theaters are also playing Bolt as a regular feature and in Disney Digital 3D, so you have options as to how you’d like to immerse yourself in the super-doggie’s world.

And after you’ve seen Bolt, be sure to stop by Disney’s Hollywood Studios to meet and greet the characters from the film! You can see Bolt and Mittens (and Rhino the Hamster at special events) at The Magic of Disney Animation attraction.

We’ll be sure to catch Bolt in theaters this weekend, and we hope we’ll be seeing a lot more of the film’s furry threesome in the parks soon. Maybe a Bolt attraction is in the future? If and when it happens, expect DWTickets.com to give you the first sneak peek!

Holiday Season Kicks Off After Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World

Everyone knows that Walt Disney World has some of the most incredible holiday attractions every season. This year is no different, with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party lighting up Magic Kingdom and the Holidays Around the World celebration taking over Epcot. However, with these two major Disney spectaculars, don’t forget what's happening over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, as the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights and Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade roll into the parks after Thanksgiving.

From November 28th, through January 4th, 2009, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights comes back to illuminate Hollywood Studios in color, lights, and music. Millions of blinking lights make up this high-energy holiday symphony filled with 3-D and moving displays. You’ll see twirling carousels, sparkling snowflakes, heavenly angels, majestic trees, twinkling bells, colorful wreaths, and Santa and his reindeer all in one unparalleled light display, which lights up the building facades, and trees of the Streets of America backlot.

This year, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights presented by Sylvania will continue the tradition of Osborne family, who began putting up Christmas lights at their home in Arkansas nearly a decade ago. Each year, the Osborne’s display got bigger and brighter until neighbors complained, eventually leading to a Supreme Court judgment that the lights were a public nuisance. In stepped Walt Disney World, who brought the Osborne’s Christmas lights to Hollywood Studios in 1995, where they’ve been shining ever since. Some of the motion-based displays originally created by Jennings Osborne himself are still used today.

The Spectacle is one of the most impressive holiday light displays in the country, with 5 million lights, 66 snow machines (and 100 gallons of snow fluid a night), 32 extension cables, and 43 Hidden Mickeys in the mix. Be sure to catch the “dancing lights” moments, which occur every ten minutes for approximately two to three minutes.

Also starting the day after Thanksgiving until January 4th, 2009, Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade blends the spirit of the park with the spirit of the season as Mickey, Donald, Minnie, and Goofy add unique holiday accessories to their safari costumes. As a holiday version of Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade, this seasonal parade with a unique world beat twist heads through Animal Kingdom to the sounds of special holiday music and traditional classics.

Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade will feature the sights and sounds of the season – literally! You’ll smell cinnamon in the air as Minnie’s “Candy and Cookies” float heads by. Also, visitors will find this parade to be a fun and different experience from holiday parades in the other park, as it includes exotic and abstract animal images, designs made from natural materials and fabrics, and unique holiday decorations. You’ll love the whimsical floats and larger-than-life puppetry that’s reminiscent of Broadway’s The Lion King.

This season, don’t miss these incredible Disney offerings that will make you a believer in the magic of the holidays. There’s no extra fee or ticket required to see the Osborne Family Spectacle or the Jingle Jungle Parade; simple get your discount Disney tickets at DWTickets.com and get ready to be dazzled by Disney holiday fun.

Unique Holiday Attractions in Orlando

As the holidays are approaching, every visitor to the Orlando area simply must take advantage of all the fun to be had – not only in Orlando theme parks such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, but outside the parks as well. This big metropolis of ours hosts so many unique and interesting holiday attractions that often go unnoticed, so we’re pointing them out! Be sure to check out these one-of-a-kind shows and events that only come ‘round once a year.

From November 12th through January 11th, 2009, check out Holidays at the Waterhouse Museum. One of the Maitland Historical Society’s Museums, this traditional Victorian home normally reflects the life of a middle-class Victorian family during the early days of Maitland. During the holidays however, the museum undergoes a holiday makeover with trees, decorations, and traditions that are both Victorian and Floridian. And guests will find an extra treat on their tour as they get to search for the annual visitor, the Waterhouse Mouse. This is a fun holiday attraction that’s both educational and merry.

Another fun attraction that the kids will especially love is Santa’s Holly Follies Spectacular Marionette Show. On stage at Pinocchio’s Marionnette Theater inside the Altamonte Springs Mall (on the first floor next to Sears) until November 26th, this show takes its audience on a fun look at holiday traditions around the world. Santa’s Holly Follies Spectacular is a David Eaton marionette show; Eaton has been an actor/puppeteer with several troupes in New York and Paris, and he appeared on Ohio television for eight years as Bozo the Clown. Kids will love this holiday show, and by the end, they’ll have even forgotten they’re watching puppets.

And of course, no Christmas is complete without catching A Christmas Story on television. But why watch it on TBS when you can catch it live on stage? That’s right – you can watch A Christmas Story performed live, complete with exploding fireplace, BB gun, and everything, at the Orlando Repertory Theater near Downtown Orlando. From November 21st through November 23rd, you can relive this classic Christmas tale of presents and adolescent yearning.

While you’re in the area, be sure to stop by Leu’s Holiday House at the Harry P. Leu Gardens. From November 27th through January 1st, the house will fill with Christmas trees trimmed with ribbons and bows, gorgeous ornaments, and amazing diorama displays designed by Roy’s Miniature Shop & Museum.

And after you’ve filled your belly on Thanksgiving, you may want to take a long nap to prepare for all the fun of the next day – and no, we don’t mean shopping. November 29th is the day that many cities have their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Celebration, Mount Dora, and Winter Park are just a few of the cities “lighting up” after Turkey Day.

So if you’re in town for the holidays, don’t forget to explore the city and all the seasonal merriment it has to offer. After all, Mickey Mouse isn’t the only one who celebrates the holidays – the rest of Orlando does too!

Florida Classic XXIX at the Citrus Bowl

The end of November means two things: the winter season is nearly here, as is National Stuff-Your-Face Day (also known as Thanksgiving), and secondly, the Florida Classic is returning for another incredible day of fun and football. On Saturday, November 22nd, the historic Citrus Bowl Stadium will fill with nearly 70,000 fans as Bethune-Cookman College and Florida A&M University face off on the field.

More than just a football game, the Florida Classic is a day of tradition and Florida in-state rivalry. The final regular-season game for both Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M, the Classic is a annual battle between the two teams that has been ongoing since 1925. Every year, the anticipation for this highlight game gets more and more intense as each team hopes to win glory and bragging rights. Last year, Bethune-Cookman won 34-7 in front of a crowd of 65,000 fans. This year, A&M is hoping to take back the Classic victory; they lead the all-time series 44-15-1.

The 29th annual Florida Classic will be a day-long event, starting with FanFare, an official pre-game event for high school and college students, families, alumni, and game attendees. Held at the Citrus Bowl in Lot C, FanFare draws people from all over with its incredible atmosphere of camaraderie and tradition. The Classic is also one of those games where Tailgating is definitely half the fun. Visitors are allowed to use the areas in front or behind their vehicle (not taking over any additional parking spaces) for grilling and drinking.

The Classic also has an incredible halftime show with performances from both teams’ marching bands. Almost more popular than the game itself, the halftime show is the performance of the year for each band, and each team prepares for it extensively. There’s no bathroom breaks or beer runs during this show; fans even stand on walkways near the end zones in order to see the field and performance more clearly.

Due to the popularity of the Bethune-Cookman and A&M marching bands, they’ve even added a second performance, the State Farm Battle of the Bands, on November 21st (the evening before the game) at Orlando’s Amway Arena at 7 pm. These bands are so good, even Hollywood has taken notice – the Bethune-Cookman Marching Wildcats were featured in the film Drumline, which centered on black college marching bands, their drumbeats, and stark rivalry.

For a fun sporting even the entire family can enjoy, don’t miss this annual historic and traditional Orlando game. Kickoff is at 2 pm, though the fun definitely starts with FanFare and other pre-game events. Admission is $40-50 dollars, and since fans are having a harder time attending games due to the economy, upper level seating has been made available for $25. You can also catch the game live on ESPNU, though it’s definitely better to see the game in person among the roaring fans. When the Rattlers and Wildcats face off this year, it’s sure to be one intense and exciting game.

Best Thanksgiving Meals in Orlando

If you’re planning on celebrating Thanksgiving in Orlando this year, whether you’re a vacationer or a resident, you’ve made a great choice. There are plenty of excellent dining options for Turkey Day, so slaving over a hot stove isn’t necessary. But with so many restaurants to choose from, trying to pick where to have your holiday feast can be a daunting task. Never fear though – we’ve selected some of the Orlando’s tastiest Thanksgiving specials, so that this holiday, your most stressful decision will be choosing which pair of loose pants to wear.

Close to Walt Disney World in Celebration, Florida, the Columbia Restaurant continues to serve their holiday feast as they’ve done for more than 100 years. Columbia will offer all the traditional treats that your grandmother used to make: roast Vermont turkey, Columbia’s signature stuffing, veggies, whipped potatoes, candied yams, cranberry sauce, and giblet gravy. And downtown, amid views of the fantastic Orlando skyline, Doc’s Restaurant is offering a delicious four-course Thanksgiving Day menu with hot cider, pumpkin bisque or Plymouth Bay chowder, and choices of oven-roasted Vermont turkey, roasted prime rib, New England baked cod, and brown sugar and honey mustard glazed ham. You’ll definitely feel stuffed and satisfied after dining at either of these two appetizing options.

If you’re staying at the Walt Disney Parks or Resorts, dining there is certainly a convenient and delicious alternative. At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the California Grill is offering turkey with chestnut stuffing, whipped potatoes, beef filets with sweet potatoes, and pecan pie. Be sure to request a table by the windows, so that you can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks show for a spectacular view during your dinner. At Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, you’ll also enjoy nice views of the neighboring streams while you eat a Turkey Day feast of soup, salad, fresh greens, wine, and of course, turkey.

Inside the Disney parks, all the restaurants will be open, many offering Thanksgiving-themed buffets, special Thanksgiving Day menus, or prix-fixe meals. And at select locations, such as the Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom, fun Disney characters can join in on your family feast.

At Universal Studios Orlando, there are also plenty of tasty dining choices. At the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Mama Della’s Ristorante will be cooking up a maple-roasted turkey dinner with all the trimmings, including oyster cornbread, oven-roasted mushrooms, and garlic and herb mashed potatoes. It’s a romantic and classy setting for your Thanksgiving meal, and you’ll love dining to the sound of the strolling musicians.

And for those who like to enjoy their Thanksgiving meal extra-early (or for those who simply don’t want to wait until nighttime to enjoy the yummy goodness), Villa de Flora restaurant at the Gaylord Palms Resort is offering an all-day Thanksgiving brunch. Their menu, which will vary throughout the day, will offer delicious breakfast dishes such as Belgian waffles and apple crepes, as well as dinnertime delights such as turkey with sage gravy, sweet potato casserole, and fall harvest vegetable lasagna. The Thanksgiving brunch buffet at the Celebration Hotel’s Plantation Room Restaurant is another excellent option for the early diner. They’ll offer delicious entrees like hand-carved Virgina Ham and Granny Smith Apple-Vegetable Turkey, and savory sides like honey cornbread stuffing and spiced butternut squash. The brunch is offered at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm.

And we haven’t forgotten our vegan readers – you can enjoy vegan versions of a traditional Thanksgiving feast at the Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar. There’ll be tofurkey, vegan stuffing, and veggie sides like gingered carrots and curried squash.

Ultimately, no matter which location you choose, you can’t go wrong having your Thanksgiving dinner in an Orlando restaurant. Our stomachs are already growling at the thought of dining at these flavorful eateries.

Gaylord Palms Resort Has the Best of Christmas

This holiday season, ice isn’t all you can see at the Gaylord Palms Resort – and when we say ice, we mean ICE!, the super-cool winter wonderland attraction carved from nearly two million pounds of ice. This year, the Gaylord Palms actually has a slew of Christmas fun planned for its guests with the Best of Florida Christmas celebration from November 17th through January 4th, 2009.

All the activities at this luxurious 63-acre resort will have you feeling merry and ready for the holiday season. First, guests can enjoy the 4.5-acre glass atrium, which is transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland with both elegant and whimsical decorations. There’s also a majestic 54-foot Christmas tree decked with tons of beautiful lights and ornaments.

And as part of the Best of Florida Christmas program, the resort has 49 days of revelry planned that is sure to spice up your holiday vacation. At the atrium, you can see Christmas in Florida – the Country Wreath Collection, which features holiday wreaths representing all the diverse and different areas of Florida. Also on display is an elaborate holiday model train courtesy of MTH Trains. And for some holiday-style entertainment, guests will love the Holiday Traditions stage show, which features classic holiday songs and a fun seasonal storyline.

Kids will also love the Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt – stashed all throughout the Gaylord Palms atrium are little gnomes, akin to the mascot of the Travelocity commercials. You and your family will love seeking out these little guys, each dressed in a special costume for the holiday. And what’s a holiday celebration without Santa? Children will be able to share their Christmas wishes with the big man in red in person at the atrium or via e-mail.

And let’s not forget about dining – the Gaylord Palms really goes all out for the holidays, and they’ve added a special brunch with Mrs. Claus on Saturdays and Sundays from November 29th through December 21st. This incredible holiday brunch includes delicious dishes from the Villa de Flora restaurant, which serves Italian, French, Spanish, and Greek fare. The resort also offers special Christmas Eve and Christmas day brunches and dinners.

In order to make your holiday experience really special, Gaylord Palms Resort is also offering a special Best of Florida Christmas package for overnight guests. The package’s perks include priority entry to ICE!, holiday bedtime stories broadcast every night via a special in-room channel, a Christmas concierge (who will help recommend and book unique Orlando holiday attractions), and the opportunity to create a family gingerbread house with the help of a Gaylord Palms pastry chef. For an additional fee, there are even bedtime tuck-ins with special holiday characters.

There’s no doubt that the Gaylord Palms Resort knows a thing or two about celebrating the holidays, and there’s really no better place to stay in Orlando for the holidays. Kids of all ages will love the Christmas spirit that absolutely emanates from this resort, and though the Grinches in us all might not admit it, the Best of Florida Christmas celebration will definitely warm your heart.

Light Up UCF Lights up Orlando

Beginning this November and December, the University of Central Florida (UCF) will begin to host an event unlike any other the university has hosted before. Get ready to party, skate, and have fun as Light Up UCF takes over UCF Arena and Knights Plaza.

From November 14th until January 2nd, 2009, the University will host “50 nights of music, lights, and ice” in an effort to attract more non-student visitors to the campus during the University’s winter vacation. Orlando’s newest holiday tradition, the festival will feature a daily – and free – holiday light show, a free outdoor Holiday film festival, and Orlando’s only outdoor skating rink.

The whole family will love the holiday light show, a high-tech production consisting of over 75,000 lights dancing around Knights Plaza and the façade of UCF arena. The lights flash in perfect synchronization with holiday music and live concerts by bands such as the Marching Knights. The show begins at 6:30 pm each evening and continues hourly through the end of the night.

Light Up UCF also has a jam-packed schedule of your favorite holiday movies, including How the Grinch Stole Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, and more. Each movie is screened in DVD quality on a giant 26-foot movie screen with surround sound under the stars. There will be comfy furniture to snuggle up on, but these will go fast, so guests are invited to bring their own blankets and chairs. It’s a great way to spend an evening with friends or a loved one.

And one of the things we love most about Light Up UCF is how affordable it is. Parking is free except on sporting event or concert days, and skating costs only $10, which includes skate rentals. The Plaza Ice Rink is available from 11:30 am to 11:30 pm Sunday through Thursdays, and 11:30 am to 12:30 am Friday and Saturday. Skaters will be able to drift and twirl along to the sounds of the Rinkmaster DJ as he spins classic holiday songs and Top 40 hits.

Also, Light Up UCF is a great event for the kids, as Santa will be appearing every night inside the UCF Arena lobby from 7 pm to 10 pm until December 23rd. There are also special events scheduled throughout November and December, including food and toy drives and live concerts from Sarah Brightman (November 14th), the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (November 15th) and Carrie Underwood (December 13th). Also, residents of the Orlando area should definitely check out the Light Up UCF schedule, as there are skating discounts for residents of the Orlando, Winter Park, Sanford, Oviedo, Winter Springs, and Lake Mary areas on various nights.

This winter, the UCF arena won’t be the only thing lighting up. You and your family’s faces are sure to light up too when you take in all the fun and music of this great Orlando holiday attraction.

Enjoy Italian Music and Romance at Loews Portofino Hotel

The Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and the Loews Royal Pacific Resort, both situated in the heart of Universal Studios Orlando, offer their guests plenty of awesome perks, including pools, dining, shopping, fast lines at Universal and Islands of Adventure, and more. What many don’t realize, however, is that each hotel offers their own attractions and events separate from the park throughout the year.

One such attraction that is a must-see for any guest of the Loews Portofino Hotel is “Musica Della Notte” (Music of the Night). Each night, guests can experience a true taste of Italy with this musical celebration. The fun begins at sunset when the strolling musicians of the Mama Della’s and Thirsty Fish restaurants perform from the balconies overlooking the Harbor Piazza. Musica della Notte showcases a blend of classic opera, romantic and festive music, and pop-opera favorites. One of four different themes pervades the show each night: Broadway Favorites, Viva Italia, Romanza, and Tenors Night.

With the Romanza themed show, you can expect to hear popular love songs with an Italian flavor, including songs made famous by Bocelli and Sinatra. On Tenors Night, the musicians perform classic tenor arias and Bocelli favorites. And during the Viva Italia show, you’ll hear spirited Italian songs that include Neapolitan favorites. The show’s themes operate on a fixed schedule, so you can call the concierge to find out which one will be performed that evening.

Since the show takes place around or shortly after sunset each night, weather permitting, the time of the performance fluctuates based on the time of the year. Currently, Musica Della Notte is being performed at 6:30, but anyone wanting to know when the show will be can call the hotel’s front desk.

The Portofino Hotel is expertly modeled after the Portofino village of Italy, and the Harbor Piazza, in which Musica Della Notte is performed, resembles a town square. Complete with cobblestone streets and outdoor cafés, it’s the perfect setting for the operatic show. Guests can even see Vespas and sports cars parked in the piazza along with faux fishing boats anchored in the harbor. The ambiance is romantic, charming, and classic Italian.

For a truly incredible experience, dine at Mama Della’s and request a table on the piazza when the Musica Della Notte starts. You’ll get a great view, enjoy classic Italian cuisine, and be able to see and hear the show comfortably. And best yet, with Campo Portofino, couples can enjoy a solo night of romance on the Piazza by dropping their kids off at this supervised children’s activity center (for ages 4 through 14 only). Parents won’t have to feel guilty about leaving little ones behind because they’ll have plenty to keep them entertained; Campo Portofino has play mats, an arts and crafts table, storybook corner, computer desks, a movie room, and more.

So next time you stay at Loews Portofino Hotel, be sure you explore the resort, which offers plenty of opportunities for excitement and romance. You’ll love Musica della Notte and the Italian charm of this one-of-a-kind resort.

Corvettes and Coasters in November at Cypress Gardens

Folks can go to Cypress Gardens theme park to see lots of interesting things, from the historical botanical gardens and animal exhibits to the spectacular shows. However, this November, guests can add Chevy Corvettes to that list as the Bay Area Corvette Club comes to Cypress Gardens. On November 16th at 10 am, the Gardens’ Splash Island water park will be taken over by more than a hundred beautiful corvette models. It’s a great event the whole family can enjoy that will spice up the usual array of Cypress Garden fun.

Guests can see and admire car models built as early as 1953 to newer 2008 models. And for the first time, the Bay Area Corvette Club (BACC) is holding a People’s Choice competition in addition to a traditional judged contest. 31 trophies in total are up for grabs, including 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place People’s Choice Awards that BACC members are not eligible for. Guests will be able to place their votes for the best cars, and after the top five vote-scoring cars in each class are selected, the results will be given to judges who will inspect the cars for verification. Cars will be judged by their cleanliness, condition, overall appearance, the engine compartment, and the trunk compartment.

If you’ve got an amazing car that needs to be shown off, there’s still time to register for the Corvette Garden Show. There’ll be goodie bags and polo shirts for the first 100 cars that are registered; cars participating in the event must be parked by 9:30 am.

For those who want to join the fun early, there will also be a parade of cars kicking off the weekend on November 15th. The cars will parade through the city of Winter Haven at 5:30 pm, and a Welcome Party from 7 pm to 10 pm will be held afterwards at the Best Western Admirals Inn & Convention Center with beer, food, dancing, and a raffle for a free room.

And cars aren’t the only fun arriving at Cypress Gardens on Sunday. The Original Drifters and The Coasters will be performing in the Star Haven Amphitheater. The Coasters will be hitting the stage at 1 pm, and the Drifters will be performing at 3:30 pm. These famous foursomes will be singing some of the biggest doo-wop, R&B, and rock and roll hits of the 50’s and 60’s in a double concert that is sure to have you dancing along. The concerts are included in the park admission, so guests can feel free to bring their lawn chairs or enjoy bench seating. Reserved seating for an additional fee will also be available.

There’s no better combination than hot cars and great music, so don’t miss all the excitement on this jam-packed November weekend in Cypress Gardens. And best yet, all the fun comes at a very low price – simply get your discount Cypress Garden tickets at DWTickets.com, and you’ll be all set to go and enjoy the show.

Santa, Ice, and Everything Nice at the Gaylord Palms Resort

The winter season is upon us – Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away, and Christmas will be here before you know it. Of course, with the temperature running at an average high of about 79 degrees in mid-November and the palm trees still swinging happily, visitors to Florida may not feel in a very wintry mood. Some might even say Florida’s no place to spend the holidays, with no snow to put you in the holiday spirit. The people over at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, though, have never heard such nonsense. With their ICE! Attraction opening from November 17th to January 4th, 2009, the Gaylord Palms near Walt Disney World proves that you can still have classic winter fun even in Florida.

A walk-through attraction hand-carved from nearly two million pounds of ice, ICE! will definitely make anyone forget they’re in the Sunshine State. The attraction, which is entering its sixth year, allows visitors to experience a winter wonderland with incredible icy landscapes, slippery ice slides, and three-dimensional sculptures hand carved by a team of artisans from China. Combined with over 1,500 fluorescent and fiber optic lights frozen within the ice in over 18,000 square feet of space, the sculptures create a magical holiday experience like no other.

This year’s ICE! theme is “Santa’s Arctic Blast,” which will feature several scenes starring St. Nick, including an oversized “Santa’s Knee” photo opportunity that kids will love. The ICE! castle and slides have also been upgraded to celebrate Santa’s Christmas Eve flight, complete with reindeer and all. And don’t miss ICE’s yearly signature scene, a life-sized Nativity carved completely out of ice. A favorite among visitors, the nativity features dramatic lighting and a narrated soundtrack that brings to life the story of the birth of Christ. It’s a great way to pause and reflect on the meaning of the season.

Every year, 40 artisans from Harbin, China, spend a month in Kissimmee, Florida, to create the sculptures in ICE! out of nearly 5,000 blocks of ice. The artisans are participants in Harbin’s famous annual International Ice and Snow Festival, where sculptors carve a 100-acre walk-through at Zhao Lin Park with ice taken from the Songhua River.

Visitors to ICE! should beware; this is no artificial winter simulation. It really is cold in there! Kept at a brisk 9 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve the ice, the unique structure housing ICE! is also known as the “Florida Fridge,” one of the first of its kind in North America. So lose the flip flops unless you want to have some really cold toes. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are definitely recommended. However, if your suitcase is lacking in fuzzy sweaters, all guests are provided calf-length, hooded winter coats to keep them warm (coats are available in all sizes). Hats and gloves should also be donned and are on sale in the ICE! House Gifts shop, which also features one-of-a-kind holiday gift items.

Whether you’re a hardy winter expert or haven’t ever seen snow, ICE! is a exciting wintry attraction for all. From the incredible artistry and craftsmanship to the heart-warming holiday scenes, there’s plenty to see and enjoy, so don’t forget a cold-friendly camera! You’re sure to have a lot of fun, so long as you don’t lick the ice – no mater how good it looks.