Walt Disney World Hotels Roll Out the Red Carpet

Walt Disney World, in addition to having four of the best theme parks in Orlando, also has some of the most luxurious, creative, and comfortable resorts. However, in these penny-pinching times, many might wonder what the advantages are of staying in a Disney resort, especially if you’re looking to cut costs. After all, there are probably more inexpensive hotels that you could stay at in Orlando. However, only Walt Disney World resorts offer special amenities and features that make enjoying the parks easier and more fun.

One such benefit of staying at a Disney resort is Disney’s Magical Express, which provides free transportation for Disney hotel guests to and from Orlando International Airport (MCO). With this handy service, guests can even arrange for special luggage tags that allow them to check their bags at their hometown airport, bypassing the baggage claim at MCO. When they arrive at their hotel room, their bags will be magically waiting for them. And when it’s time to go back home, guests can check their baggage with the return flight at their Disney resort, saving time and the pain of dragging luggage at the airport.

Another transportation-related benefit is the Walt Disney World Transportation, which allows Disney guests to get around without a car. Your resort ID also doubles as a ticket for buses, monorails, and boat launches, providing you access to virtually all areas of Walt Disney World. Moreover, many of the resorts, including Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and Disney’s BoardWalk, are so close to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios that you can walk to the parks.

And for hotel guests who don’t want to deal with the hassle of figuring out where to eat while on vacation, there’s the Disney Dining Plan. Guests who combine their hotel accommodations and park tickets with a Magic Your Way package can also add dining plans for an all-inclusive vacation package. Three plan choices are available to satisfy different budgets and appetite, and all include at least two meals and a snack every day.

Finally, one of the best aspects of staying at a Disney resort is the Extra Magic Hours. Each day, Disney guests are offered exclusive time in a Walt Disney World theme park for one to three hours per day, either prior to the park opening or after it closes. In other words, Disney hotel guests get to enjoy parks like Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom all to themselves! The Extra Magic Hours and chosen park vary from day to day, but you can look them up on the Walt Disney World website. In order to take advantage of the extra time, guests must have their hotel ID and a Magic Your Way ticket.

In Orlando, 23 resorts ranging in theme and price allow guests to indulge in a worry-free vacation, and about one-third of them fall in the value category. At Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, for example, you can bring your own RV or even pitch a tent for a low cost and fun accommodation. So this year, don’t be afraid to enjoy the comfort and luxury of Disney resort. And remember that you can always save money by acquiring your discount Walt Disney World tickets at DWTickets.com.

Where to Watch the Big Game in Orlando

Sports fans everywhere (and generally anyone with testosterone) are undoubtedly eagerly awaiting the big game this upcoming weekend, also known as the Super Bowl. And for those down here on vacation, figuring out where to watch the game might be a conundrum, especially if you’re used to enjoying it with pals at home, plenty of alcoholic beverages, and food. Thankfully, though, Orlando has no shortage of places where you can enjoy a Super Bowl party atmosphere that will rival anything you could have cooked up back home.

One easy place to go to is Universal CityWalk, one of Orlando’s biggest destinations for dining and entertainment. And you can guarantee that plenty of eyes will be set on the big game at the Nascar Sports Grille and NBA City. Don’t be fooled by their names; though NASCAR and NBA might be the sport of emphasis at these restaurant/bars, each place plays homage to all the major sports. The big game will be on the big screens at Nascar Sports Grille, and at NBA City, you can reserve a table for Super Bowl viewing. Better yet, you can even rent a private VIP room for an all-out Super Bowl party and invite 25 to 800 of your closest friends.

And over at Walt Disney World, the best place to watch the game is most likely the ESPN Club at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, a restaurant, bar, arcade, and shop similar to ESPN Zones found throughout the US. More than 100 video monitors here will ensure that you won’t miss a minute of the big game, with a 90-square-foot HD projection screen in the main dining room and several TV monitors installed in the bathrooms. Be sure to arrive early for all the Super Bowl action, as the fans pack the seats in droves here.

If you find the ESPN Club too full though, the All-Star Café at Disney’s Wide World of Sports is another good sports spot, especially if you plan to take the kids. The whole family can enjoy the game from 20 big screens while they enjoy classic American fare like burgers, buffalo wings, and chicken quesadillas.

Outside of the theme parks, one of the most popular places to watch big games is T.G.I. Friday’s Front Row, located a mile away from the Orange County Convention Center on International Drive. Not your average Fridays, Front Row features two stories of non-stop sports action, with over 140 televisions, a state-of-the-art game room, free wireless internet, and private banquet rooms. And on Sunday, the restaurant will host Orlando’s biggest Super Bowl party at 6 pm, featuring a packed buffet with plenty of beer and wine, and prizes and giveaways all night long. Be sure to call or email for a reservation if you plan to attend.

Finally, for a more laid-back Super Bowl experience, Miller’s Ale House is a casual and comfortable place to watch the game. There are eleven locations throughout Central Florida to choose from, and you can book early to get reserved seating. With an all-you-can-eat buffet, open bar, and prizes and raffles throughout the game, Miller’s will definitely be a popular spot to watch the game.

With so many places for sports fans to reunite, a Super Bowl party in Orlando isn’t hard to find – the only hard part is deciding which one you want to attend. No matter where you go, you’re sure to have a great Super Bowl Sunday.

Universal Studios Harry Potter Update

We love the attractions at Universal Studios Orlando – some of the classic rides and shows like JAWS and Terminator 2: 3-D have a special place in our heart. But as much as these classics thrill us time after time, there’s nothing like the excitement of looking forward to a future attraction. One such addition that fans are particularly looking forward to is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a new area being built within Universal's Islands of Adventure that will create the world’s first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment.

Based on the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and the blockbuster hits by Warner Bros., construction first broke ground on the Wizarding World back in May 2007. The 20-acre area is being constructed in a portion of what used to be the Lost Continent and another area that was previously unused. Currently, the Wizarding World is expected to open in 2010.

When completed, the Wizarding World will allow guests to visit some of the most iconic locations found in the books and films, including the village of Hogsmeade, the mysterious Forbidden Forest, and even Hogwarts castle itself. Concepts from the film will be transformed into theme park experiences, with immersive rides and interactive attractions. Shops and restaurants will also allow guests to sample fare from the wizarding world’s best-known establishments, like The Leaky Cauldron in London and Hogsmeade’s The Three Broomsticks. And one state-of-the-art attraction in particular will bring the magic, characters, and stories of the books to life in a big, exciting way.

“Over the years we’ve received thousands of letters from fans around the world wishing they could visit Hogwarts and the wonderful locations described in each of J.K. Rowling’s beloved stories,” said Barry Meyer, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment. “Working with Universal Orlando Resort, we are confident that we’ll be able to provide Harry Potter fans with an incredible experience that upholds the richness of J.K. Rowling’s books and delivers on the authentic detail portrayed in our films.”

"The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed," added J.K. Rowling.

Academy Award-winning production designer Stuart Craig, who worked to bring the world of Harry Potter to life in all of the feature films, is leading the creative design team for the Wizarding World, a surefire bet that the attraction will stay true to the look and feel of the films.

As this “theme park within a theme park” develops, every ounce of secrecy is being used to prevent fans from getting a glimpse of the Wizarding World before it’s completed. Word has it that Universal Studios is even bringing roller coaster tracks in after the park closes to keep guests from seeing them. Much of construction is taking place behind fences in a big building, guarding the Wizarding World’s secrets from prying eyes.

Nonetheless, reports have swirled that actors from the films have been brought in to shoot sequences and provide voice-overs for some of the future rides and attractions. Rumor also has it that Hogwarts Castle will be massive, possibly over 200 feet (making it taller than Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom). And sources say that a Whomping Willow or Shrieking Shack experience is in the works.

Until 2010, it looks like we’ll have to wait to find out everything the Wizarding World will offer. However, if you get frustrated, it helps to remember the Ministry of Magic proclamations posted around the under-construction Wizarding World area, which read, “Magic at Work: Your Patience is Requested.” And in the meantime, you can always enjoy the rest of the park with discount Universal Studios tickets from DWTickets.com.

Celebrate Chinese New Year at Epcot's China

Even though the New Year is well underway here in America, for our Chinese friends, it hasn’t even yet begun. Soon, however, China’s most important traditional holiday will take place on January 26: the Chinese New Year. A festive holiday filled with lots of color, food, entertainment, and fun, the 2009 Chinese New Year celebrates the Year of the Ox, which according to the Chinese zodiac, symbolizes prosperity, self-assurance, inspiration, and leadership. And we can’t think of a better way to commemorate this major Chinese holiday than by paying a visit to Walt Disney World’s Epcot, where the China pavilion offers a little bit of the Asian country right here in Orlando, Florida.

A cultural area within Epcot where guests can experience the art, architecture, and traditions of China, the China Pavilion is the next best thing to hopping on a plane and flying to the country itself. This dedication one of the world’s oldest civilizations features the Temple of Heaven, serene gardens with tranquil reflecting ponds, and authentic tomb sculptures from Ancient China that date back 2,000 years. There’s even a miniature recreation of the tomb of China’s first emperor. A great way to take in a cultural summary of this Asian country, be sure to kick off your Chinese New Year’s celebrations by simply touring all of the pavilion’s wonders.

No Chinese New Year celebration is complete, however, without catching some traditional Chinese entertainment. Check out the Dragon Legend Acrobats, a 14-minute live show occurring several times throughout the day that features young Chinese acrobats performing gravity-defying feats. From the Pu Yang Academy of Acrobats in China, these young athletes fly through the air, leap through hoops, spin carpets on their feet, and contort their bodies into different shapes and sizes to the sounds of traditional Chinese music.

Next, be transported back to ancient Chinese times when you witness the Si Xian show, filled with harp-like music played on the Chinese zheng, a 2,000-year-old instrument. You’ll hear a gifted zheng musician weave an auditory journey as they evoke soothing natural sounds on this 25-stringed instrument. Si Xian is performed several times throughout the day; the schedule can be found on the Epcot Times Guide.

Also, don’t miss the artistic stylings of Miyuki, the first and only woman to receive training as a candy artist in Japan. Miyuki sculpts candy into elaborate animal shapes, a Japanese art form that goes back hundreds of years. For twenty minutes at various times throughout the day, you can catch her bring pieces of rice dough to life – you can even request an ox candy to keep as a lucky souvenir for the New Year.

Finally, round off your Chinese New Year celebrations by sampling authentic Chinese cuisine at the Nine Dragons Restaurant. Offering inventive Chinese dishes from five provinces, Nine Dragons offers specialties like Moo Goo Gai Pan, Sweet and Sour Pork, and of course, several varieties of Dim Sum. Or, for faster Chinese dining, grab a bite at the Lotus Blossom Café, which serves classic Chinese take-out favorites like egg rolls, fried rice, orange chicken, and beef noodle soup.

Since all the pavilions usually celebrate the major holidays of their country, you might also find a few surprises at the Chinese pavilion on January 26, including special activities for the kids. Ultimately, you’re sure to ring in the Chinese New Year in a forgettable way at Disney’s Epcot. Be sure to visit DWTickets.com for Walt Disney World tickets to start planning your celebration.

Join the Pin Craze at Walt Disney World

There have been quite a few toy crazes in the last decade. Remember those talking Elmos? Or those you-had-to-have-them electronic pets? Now, crazes are usually more restricted to the latest cell phone or iPhone, but at Walt Disney World, people still go crazy to collect a very simple, low-tech item – pins. However, this isn’t your average toy craze that kids jump on like a bandwagon. A well-respected hobby at Walt Disney World since 1999, everyone from young children to senior citizens loves to acquire and trade new Disney pins in the hopes of developing a good collection.

A tradition at Disney World that’s going on ten years old, pin trading provides guests and Disney lovers a whole new way to enjoy the parks and have fun. Disney has launched thousands of pins over the years, each with their own unique design and story, and pin traders go crazy when there’s any opportunity to collect a special new pin. However, pin trading can merely be a fun addition to your usual theme park experience, and you can always simply trade for pins that you like or that are aesthetically pleasing, as opposed to trying to track down rare or valuable pins like more serious collectors.

Pins generally start at $7 and are available at several shops throughout Walt Disney World, especially at Disney’s Pin Traders in the Downtown Disney Marketplace. This expansive pin-trading spot hosts the biggest assortment of pins in Walt Disney World. Starter sets are also available to get you going, featuring a uniquely theme pin trading lanyard and four Disney pins.

Once you’ve amassed a collection, however, you can also acquire new pins by trading with any Disney cast members that are wearing a pin trading lanyard. Each member has their own collection of pins along with new or special edition pins that are distributed to them randomly each night. A guest can trade with each cast member for up to two pins each day.

And in addition to trading with cast members and other guests, pin trading events are another great way to add new pins to your collection. Disney’s Contemporary Resort hosts Pin Trading nights every so often, with one coming up on January 23rd from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Resort’s Convention Center in the Ballroom of the Americas. The next Pin Trading Night after that will be on February 20th.

Here are a few guidelines to make pin trading more fun. First, it’s a big etiquette no-no to touch another person’s pins; simply ask to have a closer look. Also, a Disney pin must be made out of metal and have a Disney copyright on its back. You can’t trade pins for money, though you can, of course, purchase them at a Disney store. And finally, kids ages 3 through 12 can enjoy some special pin trading by seeking out a cast member with a green lanyard. These cast members are only allowed to trade with kids and have unique pins to offer.

So if you think you’ve tried everything Walt Disney World has to offer, dive into the world of the pin collectors for a new level of Disney fun. A great way to connect with cast members and other guests, pin collecting and trading is definitely one craze that enhances your Disney World experience. If you want to begin your own collection and start trading, there’s nothing like hitting the parks; check out discount Disney tickets at DWTickets.com in order to take the first step into pin mania. But beware – you might get hooked.

Stages are Burning up at Busch Gardens

If you love popular dance shows like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars, you’ll love the latest show heating up the dance floor at Busch Gardens Africa. Sixteen dancers from around the world will set the Desert Grille stage on fire when the park presents Let’s Dance featuring Burn the Floor. This exciting new dance show opened on January 12th and will be available until April 19th.

Set against a fast-paced soundtrack of familiar dance favorites, including “Do You Wanna Dance?” and “Turn the Beat Around,” Let’s Dance features popular dances as you’ve never seen them before. In a mini-version of their popular internationally touring show, dance troupe Burn the Floor offers a new twist on the Foxtrot, Tango, Rumba, Cha-cha, Jive, Swing, Mambo, and more.

Burn the Floor features incredible professional dancers with an amazing amount of talent and experience. The troupe is choreographed by one of Australia’s most successful dance couples, Jason Gilkison, who’s earned World, British, and International Champion titles. He was recently featured during the finals for So You Think You Can Dance and is currently working with a new reality TV competition, Superstars of Dance.

The dance troupe also features show managers and dancers Trent Whiddon and his partner, Gordana Grandosek, who hold several national and international dance championship titles. Grandosek recently placed second on the Slovenian version of Dancing with the Stars, and Whiddon was a featured professional on the Australian version of the show.

You can catch Let’s Dance featuring Burn the Floor everyday through April 19th in the park’s Timbuktu area; this hot contemporary ballroom dancing show is free with regular admission to Busch Gardens.

Let’s Dance is a sizzling new addition to Busch Gardens’ The Real Music Concert Series, which is back in the Stanleyville Theatre. After watching Burn the Floor spice things up on the dance floor, guests can catch an incredible lineup of bands performing from January 14th through March 21st. You’ll see performers like The Terry Myers Orchestra, The Osmond Brothers, The Monkeys lead singer Micky Dolenz, the Little River Band, and more. Concerts are every Wednesday through Saturday at 11:30 am, 1 pm, and 3:30 pm, and a different performer lights up the stage each week.

So be sure to pack some water when you heard over to Busch Gardens this January – with fiery dance performances and lots of toe-tapping music, this African theme park is sure to take you on one hot ride! And you’ll be able to jam to the tunes even harder when you save on discount Busch Gardens tickets at DWTickets.com.

Beat the Winter with Indoor Shows

Winters are pretty interesting here in Orlando – one week, temperatures run a pleasant 70 degrees, and the next week, it’s time to break out the turtlenecks and parkas! But until the season starts heating up more regularly in the coming months, Orlando theme parks have plenty of attractions to keep you warm, with indoor shows that are both an entertaining and comfortable way to spend an afternoon.

First up on the list of our favorites is definitely A’Lure, The Call of the Ocean, the newest show at SeaWorld Orlando. Performing daily at the Nautilus Theater, this theatrical production combines mesmerizing under-the-sea visuals with Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatics and athleticism.

Set to a musical score recorded by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, A’Lure’s dynamic 30-minute production takes guests on a journey through the ocean’s depths and mysteries. With a dozen Chinese acrobats and vibrant animated images, it tells the mythical story of the Sea Sirens, who have lured entranced fishermen into the water for centuries. The show takes place on a massive stage with an oversized projection screen serving as an ever-changing backdrop while gravity-defying aerial tumblers, scaling pole climbers, lyrical dancers, and unicycle champions dazzle on stage.

Over at the Hollywood area of Universal Studios Orlando, another great indoor show is a tried and true classic, Terminator 2: 3D Battle Across Time. Throw on your 3D glasses and settle into a comfortable theater seat while you watch Sarah and John Connor travel into the future to destroy SkyNet. But it won’t be easy – the T-1000 is back to kill John, though luckily, the T-800 (Arnold) is there to help stop him too. With on-screen special effects, 3D cinematography that seems to hover right before your face, and live-action stunts, the Terminator 2: 3D is a beloved Universal Studios favorite.

And at Walt Disney World, there’s no shortage of indoor shows among the five parks. However, one recent addition that’s particularly fun is Finding Nemo – The Musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Adapted from the popular and funny Disney-Pixar film into a 30-minute Broadway-style musical, Finding Nemo is fun for all ages. Inside the Theater in the Wild at the DinoLand USA area, the musical features Marlin, his curious son Nemo, and their friend Dory performing new musical numbers inspired by lines from the movie, including “Just Keep Swimming.” Even if you’re not big into musicals, this one is a sight to see with innovative lighting, special effects, and theatrical puppets, some as big as cars.

So next time the temperatures drop, grab a sweater and head on over to one of these Orlando theme parks. You’ll be snuggly and warm while you enjoy a show, and when the fun’s over, you can skip right on to another fun indoor attraction. Look to DWTickets.com for your discount Orlando theme park tickets, and before you know it, you’ll be escaping the winter cold in style.

Space Mountain Will Get Makeover

It’s the time of year when many Walt Disney World attractions get a little spring-cleaning. For example, the big Mickey Mouse hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios got an extensive spit-shine recently, and the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom is closed temporarily while President-elect Obama is added and some fine-tuning is made to the technology. And now added to the list of attractions receiving a freshener is Space Mountain; Disney announced recently that the beloved Disney icon will be shut down this Spring for a multiple-month refurbishment that is sure to make the 34-year-old ride better than ever.

Space Mountain has been a popular Magic Kingdom attraction ever since its opening on January 15, 1975, only about four years after the park itself opened. The roller coaster thrills riders by taking them through a series of sharp twists, turns, and drops in the dark. And on April 17th, the ride will be closed temporarily and reopened later in the year for a slight makeover. A specific reopening date hasn’t yet been set, but it’s safe to say the attraction will be closed through the summer and very likely through most of 2009.

Rumors have been buzzing among Disney fans for years that Space Mountain was going to get an upgrade, especially after Disneyland in Anaheim completed a two-year overhaul of the attraction. However, hardcore Space Mountain lovers will be happy to know that the changes being made to Orlando’s Space Mountain won’t be anything too drastic.

“We’re retaining many of the classic elements that made Space Mountain a rite of passage at the Magic Kingdom that’s been enjoyed by generations,” said Disney spokesperson Andrea Finger.

Most of the construction work will involve installing a new track inside the coaster. The actual track layout, however, will stay virtually the same, and the ride will retain its classic shape. Other upgrades include a new enclosure for the ride’s queue and a new interior ceiling. This will be the attraction’s first “refreshment,” as Disney calls it, since September 1999.

Space Mountain is certainly an iconic figure in Magic Kingdom; located at all five Disney parks around the world, each attraction features that famous white dome façade, though each ride is vastly different. Orlando’s Space Mountain is the original, giving it a special place in the heart of Disney fans. The roller coaster plunges riders into the darkness of space, providing unique thrills that result from not knowing where the ride will plunge you next.

Be sure to stop by Magic Kingdom before April 17th to get your fill of this classic ride before it closes for the summer! All you need are discount Disney tickets at DWTickets.com, and you’ll be set to blast, twist, and turn into outer space at Space Mountain.

Atlanta Braves Will Return to Disney for Spring Training

One thing that is always eagerly anticipated here in Florida is the change in seasons – the moment when winter winds down and the air begins to get a little warmer here in Orlando. And though warmer weather means more beach time and fun outdoors, for sports fans, springtime means the return of the Atlanta Braves. This Major League Baseball team comes to Walt Disney World every year for spring training, and this year, they’ll make their 12th return to Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in March 2009.

After two weeks of workouts, the Braves will prepare for the regular season at Champion Stadium within the Wide World of Sports Complex, one of the leading venues for amateur and professional sports in the country. They’ll play an 18-game home schedule that includes a number of great opportunities for fans to see incredible games, such as the World Baseball Classic Exhibition featuring Panama and Venezuela.

The Braves’ 2009 schedule is also expected to feature the most appealing slate of opponents since the Braves’ first training season in 1997. They’ll go up against the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies, and the Boston Red Sox, who’ll be making their second ever trip to the Wide World of Sports. Other teams facing off against the Braves include the Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, and Pittsburgh Pirates. This spring training season marks the highest number of single spring home contests for the Braves since 1997.

Guests will also be able to enjoy all-new entertainment and experiences, including an all-new On-Field Spectator Experience, which provides fans the opportunity to view pre-game batting practice from field level. There’ll also be appearances by Disney characters, live music, and more fun for the whole family; kids will even be able to run the bases after every game.

Last spring, the braves finished 10-5-1 at Champion Stadium. The Georgia team drew 138,111 fans during 16 games, a total that ranked second only to the Yankees in Grapefruit League attendance. The players will begin arriving in Orlando during the second week of February for individual and full team workouts.

Though the spring training season is still a few months away, sports fans will be able to plan for the games now, as individual and group game tickets for the Braves’ home spring training season go on sale January 10th. The games would be an especially fun addition to any Walt Disney vacation in the spring, and they’re an activity the whole family can enjoy. Start planning your Disney vacation now with discount Disney tickets at DWTickets.com, and get ready to take your family or friends out to the ball game.

Unleash Your Inner Secret Agent at Epcot

In the Emmy-Award winning animated series Kim Possible, Kim is your average teenage girl…unless you count the fact that when she’s not going to school and dealing with typical adolescent problems, Kim is a vigilante/crime fighter battling the evil villains of the world. Along with her sidekick Ron Stoppable and her genius equipment provider Wade, Kim fights evildoers with an array of gadgets and high style butt kicking. And soon, Disney guests will be able to join Kim on adventures at Walt Disney World with the opening of the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure at Disney's Epcot later this January.

Inspired by the Kim Possible series, this new interactive attraction will put Disney guests in the driver’s seat of their own wild crime-fighting adventure throughout seven of the World Showcase pavilions. Guests will become secret agents and team up with members of Team Possible as they save the world from various comical villains and their crazy inventions.

Using the latest Verizon technology, the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure employs official “Kimmunicators,” which are provided to guests at kiosks throughout Epcot. This interactive, handheld device is designed to help secret agents through their mission, allowing them to connect with a variety of Kim Possible characters. Using the devices, guests will be able to uncover clues and control top-secret equipment hidden inside the World Showcase pavilions.

Each pavilion (which includes Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France, and United Kingdom) will feature a different mission featuring a unique event for secret agents to take part in. Epcot crime fighters will also encounter a different super villain from the series at each pavilion, such as the evil Doctor Drakkan, the comical kung fu megalomaniac Monkey Fist, and the Scottish kilt-wearing golf player, Duff Killigan.

“Disney’s Kim Possible Showcase is an exciting new experience that offers fun and excitement for the entire family,” said Jim MacPhee, Vice President of Epcot. “We are constantly exploring new ways to provide immersive experiences to Epcot guests, and this new offering will add to our dynamic portfolio.”

The Kim Possible Showcase Adventure is unique among Disney attractions in that it’s spread out over Epcot and not located in one place, allowing secret agents to take their time and enjoy saving the “world” as a group; this distinctive design is sure to bring a new level of fun and excitement to a day at Epcot. Make sure you don’t miss out on all the crime fighting action when the Kim Possible Showcase Adventure opens on January 28th. And like any savvy secret agent, get your discount Disney tickets here at DWTickets.com. Just think of us as the Wade to your Kim Possible!

Out of this World Experiences at Kennedy Space Center

It is the beginning of a New Year, and many of you are probably trying to either think of a good New Year’s resolution or keep the ones you’ve already made. One of the most common resolutions people make is to try new experiences – we all want to enjoy life more and try things we’ve never encountered or done before. And one great place where you can do both is Kennedy Space Center (KSC). There, anyone who’s ever dreamed of going into outer space but lacks the NASA training can experience the next best thing with the KSC’s Shuttle Launch Experience. You’ll experience the sights, sounds, and sensations of a real shuttle space launch on this heart-lurching ride, which will definitely satisfy any New Year’s resolution.

The KSC’s newest attraction, the Shuttle Launch Experience, simulates the space shuttle’s vibrant rush from takeout into Earth’s orbit. The experience begins as passengers enter the Shuttle Launch Simulation Facility, a giant six-story structure similar to the space shuttle facilities at the KSC. As they wait for their chance at launch and ascend the gantry, passengers – known as ‘crewmembers’ from thereon – will witness veteran astronauts sharing their stories, setting the mood for the wild ride to come.

Then, crewmembers will enter the heart of the Space Shuttle Simulation Facility for a pre-launch briefing, where they’ll be told what to expect by veteran Space Shuttle Commander Charlie Bolden. Step-by-step, Bolden goes through the shuttle launch sequence. Then, passengers will board a mock-up Space Shuttle and strap in before the shuttle launch begins. The suspense is palpable with every second of the countdown thanks to a few special effects – then it’s a powerful, knuckle-clenching liftoff as you soar into outer space. You’ll feel like you’re actually cutting through Earth’s atmosphere thanks to state-of-the-art audio, visual, and lighting effects, along with a unique motion simulator that replicates the G-forces and rattle of lift-off.

The fun continues even after the initial boom; the sensations of launch continue as the ‘shuttle’ approaches Max Q, the zone where enormous forces squeeze the Shuttle. Crewmembers will also experience Solid Rocket Booster separation, main engine cut-off, and the External Tank separation. Everything has been designed to exactly replicate an actual shuttle launch. After the Shuttle Launch Experience, guests at KSC will definitely have a whole new appreciation for astronauts.

“It's not a thrill ride,” said Dan LeBlanc, chief operating officer of the Visitor Complex. “You won't be dodging asteroids or battling any aliens. We have worked hard to ensure that it is as close as you can be to simulating the reality of a Space Shuttle launch within the confines of Earth's gravity.”

And though it’s not a thrill ride by your typical standards, the Shuttle Launch Experience delivers plenty of thrills that until now, only astronauts have experienced. It’s definitely a ‘new’ experience that will put a fresh, fun spin on a New Year. So don’t wait until next year to experience the most realistic space shuttle simulation on the planet – get discount Kennedy Space Center tickets at DWTickets.com, and you’ll have one less resolution to break this year.

Stay Fit with Seminars at Walt Disney World Marathon

Even though the Walt Disney World Marathon is already booked to capacity, meaning there’s no more room for participants, that doesn’t mean that guests of Walt Disney World can’t learn a thing or two about fitness during the jam-packed Marathon weekend. From January 8th through 10th, Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex will play host to the Health and Fitness Expo, which will feature celebrity runner appearances, plenty of running and fitness equipment, and most significantly, the Walt Disney World Marathon Seminar Series. It’s a great opportunity to get the skinny (no pun intended) from experts in fitness and nutrition.

More than two dozen topical sessions, ranging from 30 to 45 minutes long, will be offered during the three-day Health and Fitness Expo, which begins on Thursday at 12:30 pm. One of the day’s highlights includes a presentation at 2:45 by former 10,000 and 20,000-meter world record holder and Mexican Olympian Arturo Barrios. Thursday will also feature great fitness information for kids, with Cigna’s Healthy Kids Challenge Chef presentation at 3:45 and a Making It Fun For the Kids presentation from world-class coach Kevin Hanson and his 10-year-old daughter Samantha at 4:45 pm. Thursday’s presentations will conclude around 6 pm with an hour long session from Disney Marathon Race Director Jon Hughes, who’ll wrap up the day by covering tips and information about this 2009’s running events.

Friday’s seminars will kick off at 11 am with a discussion of ChiRunning and ChiWalking, revolutionary forms of running and walking blended with T’ai Chi, presented by creator Danny Dreyer. Hughes will again wrap up the schedule with a session beginning at 4:45.

The series will end on Saturday after another riveting day of presentations beginning at 11 am with 1972 Olympian Jeff Galloway. Galloway will give key tips on how to run a personal best. Hughes and Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray will close the series with a session at 3:15 pm.

Each day of the Expo will feature roughly 8 to 12 sessions, and each session will feature a Q& A session, giving audience members a chance to pick the brains of these fitness and nutrition stars. Best yet, there’s no additional charge to hear the seminar series; to attend, guests need only pay the admission charge of the Wide World of Sports Complex, which is $12.75 for adults and $10 for children ages 9 and under. The seminar series will take place in the Milk House Upper Court, and TV and radio race commentator Creigh Kelley will host.

The Walt Disney World Marathon Seminar Series is one-of-a-kind opportunity to hear writers, coaches, record-holders, and Olympians talk about their experiences and give unique advice and information. So while you’re heading to the Disney theme parks to see your favorite spectators, do take some time to hear fitness wisdom from the experts. With their help, you might just find yourself a little more ready and willing to run the Marathon next year!