Kennedy Space Center Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Apollo Moon Landing

This July marks the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. What is now a historical event riddled with conspiracy theories by today’s youth was, at the time, an emotional, untouchable moment in American history. Neil Armstrong’s classic delivery of the “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” line made him an international hero and a patriotic symbol of a country at the pinnacle of technological advancement. The Kennedy Space Center will be featuring a special celebratory event in honor of the moon landing along with the great ongoing activities the attraction has to offer.

The Visitor Complex houses an incredible variety of NASA artifacts, two IMAX theatres and an active launch pad, Launch Pad 39, where visitors can see rockets launch toward the sky at various times of the year. An educational center with resources for teachers is also available. The Visitor Complex also houses the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, where items from all stages of NASA’s space exploration and the men and women who experienced it can be viewed. After exiting the exhibit, visitors will have the chance to experience what it’s like to launch into outer space. The Kennedy Space Center has G-Force simulators that let visitors experience the incredible physical pressures put on the human body by rocket launches and space travel.

But what better way to learn about space travel than from personal accounts from astronauts themselves? As part of the Apollo 40th Anniversary Celebration on July 16th, the Kennedy Space Center will have astronauts on hand to take audience questions and tell their first-hand accounts of what it is like to travel to outer space. Among the astronauts is the legendary Buzz Aldrin. USAF Colonel Aldrin was the second man to set foot on the moon after Neil Armstrong and winner of many Air Force accolades including the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

If you would like to meet Buzz Aldrin to partake in the Apollo 40th Anniversary Celebration and check out the great exhibits the Kennedy Space Center has to offer, then check out the Kennedy Space Center link on our website. DWTickets.com provides the best discounts for you year-round, not just during specials events. Let us help you make your Kennedy Space Center experience out of this world!

Disney World for the Sports Lover

With the NBA Finals currently playing out at Orlando’s own Amway Arena, we can’t think of a better time to address all the sports lovers thinking about an Orlando getaway. If you’ve been hankering for a great vacation, few places are better than Orlando, which has something for the sports fanatic every step of the way. Whether there’s a major championship in town or not, you can have a blast at Walt Disney World with sports-themed hotels, restaurants, and attractions, including Disney’s very own sports complex, Disney's Wide World of Sports.

First, if you love sports and love the idea of surrounding yourself with them, the place to stay is Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort. A 1,920-room Disney Value hotel, it features five pairs of 3-story buildings whimsically themed after a different sport; there’s the Home Run Hotel, Hoops Hotel, Touchdown!, Surfs Up!, and Center Court. And with two swimming pools, a 1.5 mile walking/jogging trail, arcade, playground, and shopping, there’s plenty to keep the active sports-fiend busy. Rates start at $82 a night.

When it comes time to chow down, sports fans can satiate their hunger and catch a game at the ESPN Club, located on Disney’s BoardWalk on the edge of Crescent Lake. You won’t miss a second of the action at this sports hub, filled with 100 video monitors hooked up to satellite feeds. There are even TVs in the bathrooms! The atmosphere is especially fun on a big game day, when fans pack the seats from wall to wall. And the food is great, too – the restaurant serves American fast food, hamburgers, and deli sandwiches with big pitchers of beer and specialty drinks.

Once your belly’s full and you’re ready for some outdoor fun, check out the events at Disney’s Wide World of Sports (WWoS) complex. A 220-acre sports facility inside Walt Disney World, the WWoS hosts nearly 200 amateur and professional sporting events in a year. It can accommodate more than 50 sports, from aerobics to wrestling, in nine venues and is even the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves. With so much space dedicated to pure sports, chances are there’ll be something fun going on there during your trip. Just check out the schedule online, then head on over.

And of course, no trip to Orlando is complete without catching an Orlando Magic game. The team is in the finals now and tickets are hard to come by, of course, but when the regular season starts up again, you can expect to score tickets right here at DWTickets.com.

So let it never be said that Walt Disney World is just for kids – it’s just as much for sports lovers and other fun-seekers, too. Start planning your sports-tastic vacation by taking a look at the discount Disney tickets here at DWTickets.com.

Cinderella Castle Lights Up in Magic Blue & White

There are only a handful of occasions worthy enough to cause Cinderella Castle to be lit up in colors different from its usual color scheme. But when the Orlando Magic are playing in the NBA Finals, we’d say that’s certainly one of those worthy occasions. In support of its local team, Walt Disney World has lit up the iconic symbol of Magic Kingdom, Cinderella’s Castle, in Magic blue and white.

The lights were first switched on Thursday, June 4, the date of the Magic’s first game in the 2009 NBA Finals. In California, Disneyland also illuminated its Sleeping Beauty Castle in Los Angeles Lakers colors, purple and gold.

Incidentally, the two parks even made a wager over who would win what’s become known as the Disney World vs. Disneyland Finals. Just as the mayors of their respective city’s teams traditionally make a bet on the outcome of a championship, Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton and Disneyland President Ed Grier are betting on their local teams with some very interesting terms.

If the Magic win, Grier will have to walk down Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland wearing a pair of special Mickey Mouse ears in Magic blue and white. If the Lakers win, Crofton will don a pair of Laker’s purple and gold mouse ears and walk down Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom.

“The Lakers are going to make your team very Grumpy this week,” bantered Grier to Crofton.

“But we have ‘Magic’ on our side,” countered Crofton. “And isn’t that what Disney is all about?”

The two presidents went through their respective parks last week looking for supporters and posing with fans. In front of Cinderella Castle, Crofton was accompanied by Minnie, Goofy, Chip, and Dale as she passed out Orlando Magic hats, t-shirts, balloons, and basketballs to park guests.

If the Magic win, not only would it be their first Championship win in history, but fans would be able to expect a wild celebration at Disney World. Magic Kingdom, as it usually does with the Super Bowl and other game championships, would likely hold a spectacular parade featuring players from the team. After all, when all major sports players and American Idols celebrate a major victory, they go to Walt Disney World – just ask Kris Allen.

While everyone awaits for a winner to emerge from the Finals, fans at Walt Disney World can support their team with newly released Disney/Magic t-shirts. Available at Walt Disney World and Amway Arena, the shirts are available in three blue and white designs, with Mickey dressed in Magic gear on the front of two designs and a Magic basketball with Mickey ears on the third.

And of course, you can always bide the time with fun at Walt Disney World! Check out Walt Disney World tickets on DWTickets.com to enjoy the parks or preemptively get your passes for the Orlando Magic victory celebrations. Not that we’re biased, of course…

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!

See the Future of NFL at Disney’s Pop Warner Super Bowl

There is only one event where you can see future stars of the NFL, along with the future cheerleaders and dancers who will be rooting them on – the Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer & Dance Championship. From December 6th through December 13th, the nation’s top youth football players will compete at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex for the 52nd annual Pop Warner Super Bowl. The Bowl will be taking place alongside the cheer and dance competition, which brings thousands of cheerleaders from all over the country to Orlando.

This year, more than 60 youth football teams nationwide battled through local and regional tournaments in order to come to Walt Disney World for the Pop Warner Super Bowl. Teams will compete in four divisions based on weight and age: Jr. Pee Wee (ages 8-10), Pee Wee (ages 9-11), Jr. Midget (ages 10-12), and Midget (ages 11-14). In addition, there are two divisions, Division I and II, each fielding 32 teams. During the 7-day event, 72 games in total will take place.

Since 70% of current NFL players got their start in the Pop Warner Super Bowl, there’s a strong likelihood that many of this year’s players will go on to become NFL stars. Heisman Trophy winners Tim Tebow, Troy Smith, Matt Leinart, Carson Palmer, and Reggie Bush are all Pop Warner Super Bowl alumni.

All the Bowl games will take place on the Hess Sports Fields, the same fields used by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during training camp. This is the Pop Warner’s 14th consecutive year at Walt Disney World.

While the games are going on out on the fields, the National Cheer and Dance Championship will featuring competing cheerleading and dance teams from communities and schools throughout the nation. From December 8th through December 12th, the championship will pit over 350 squads against each other for the title of National Champion.

Squads will compete in four age classifications and vary in size and skill level. On the stage of the Wide World of Sport’s Milk House, each team will perform their best two minute and thirty second routine complete with music and cheering. It’s a heated competition that teams often prepare all year for.

The Wide World of Sports is host to several national youth and high school football events throughout the year, such as the NFL Flag Football National Championships. The sprawling complex features eight different venues for amateur and professional sports and entertainment events, including 11 tennis courts, and stadium court, and a track & field complex.

Anyone is welcome to come watch the Pop Warner Super Bowl or the National Cheer and Dance Championship. For anyone who’s not participating in event, admission to the Wide World of Sports Complex is $12.75 for those ages 10 and up and $10 for children ages 9 and under. You can also catch the Midget Championship Game on TV when it airs on ESPN and ESPN2 during the week of the NFL Super Bowl. Don’t miss all the fun when young football players and cheerleaders compete for glory and a national title!

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.

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.

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.

Fall Fun for the Not-So-Halloween Inclined

It happens – people grow out of donning costumes every year and lose a taste for candy (or never develop one). Some just aren’t into the whole horror and terror thing. Some people, believe it or not, simply aren’t a fan of Halloween, and come every October, these poor souls find themselves surrounded by a barrage of Halloween decorations, spooky events like Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights and Busch Gardens Tampa Howl-O-Scream, and flocks of children showing up at their door begging for candy. What can you do if you’re such a person in Orlando, Florida, during the fall? Quite a lot, actually – one of the great things about a major metropolis like Orlando is that there’s always something to do for every different kind of person. So those who want a break from Halloween will have no trouble finding one at these great late October and early November events.

Velvet Sessions at the Hard Rock Hotel
On October 30th, enjoy the Hard Rock’s monthly rock n’ roll cocktail party. Each session combines creative cocktails with live music from the hottest rock bands. This month’s session will feature singer-songwriter Eddie Money, who will perform hits such as “Two Tickets to Paradise,” “Shakin’,” “Walk on Water,” and more. The party’s admission includes free drinks, hors de oeuvres, and warm-up tunes from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, so be sure to get there early to take advantage of the pre-show fun.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
We’ve written plenty about the famed food festival at Walt Disney World, so we won’t rehash all he particulars. But the end of the month is a great time to hit up the festival if you haven’t already; Eat to the Beat performers include Boyz II Men on the 29th and 30th, and the Atlanta Rhythm Section will be performing from Halloween to November 2nd. You can also catch one of the few City Tastes events on October 31st, where you can experience a taste of Italy and meet noted chefs, taste regional brews and wines, and enjoy live entertainment. Also on Halloween, be sure to see a one-day only cooking demonstration from Marimar Torres of the Catalan Country Kitchen in Sonoma, California.

Jazzed in Sanford
On November 1st, check out the free monthly Jazz Concert series held in Magnolia Square in downtown Sanford from 4 pm to 7 pm. It’s a cool, relaxing event in the historic brick square near award-winning restaurants, a wine bar, coffee bar, and martini club. This month’s concert features renowned guitar player Michael Leasure. Admission is free, so bring your jazz beret and enjoy the tunes.

Alfa Romeo Car Show
On November 1st, the Mid Florida Alfa Romeo Owners Club will host the annual Alfa Romeo Car Show in Downtown Celebration’s Town Center from 10 am to 3 pm. Fifty cars will be shown at the event, including an extremely rare Fiat Bianchina, and a rare 1959 Alfa Romeo Giuletta Spring. These Italian built automobiles first began manufacturing vehicles in 1913 and stopped importing cars into the US in 1995, so this is a rare chance to see these one-of-a-kind automobiles!

So if you’re not a Halloween enthusiast and you’re just counting the days until the holiday season passes, escape the craze with one of these unique Orlando events. Or, you can always hit up Orlando theme parks like Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Universal Studios, which doesn’t become Halloween-ified until nighttime. Best yet, you can save on discount tickets for these great parks at DWTickets.com. Have fun not trick or treating!

Wheel of Fortune LIVE at SeaWorld Orlando

Wheel of Fortune fans will be excited to learn that the show is coming to SeaWorld Orlando! The gameshow, which is currently in its 26th season, will be taping four weeks of shows in Orlando for its Family Week. The tapings will take place on December 11th, 12th, 14th, and 15th, and are scheduled to air in 2009.

In the meantime, you might also catch the show taping various promos and commercials all over Orlando Florida in order to promote the broad range of places the city has to offer during the shows. Sources say you might see Vanna and Pat filming in Winter Park shops, cafes, and galleries, the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes Resort, and Harry P. Leu Gardens.

During the episodes, Vanna will be featured at SeaWorld, swimming with beluga whales, talking to sea lions, and getting some face-to-face time with Shamu. The shows will also highlight SeaWorld’s newest water park, Aquatica.

If you’d like to try your hand at being a Wheel of Fortune contestant, be sure to stop by Seminole Towne Center on Saturday, October 4th, and Sunday, October 5th. The Wheelmobile, a 39-foot Winnebago, will be on site from 2 pm to 6 pm, looking for the perfect Central Florida residents to be their latest contestants. Look for the Wheelmobile in the grassy portion of the Center’s parking lot, adjacent to the United Artist Theaters and Sears Auto Center buildings.

To be a contestant, all you have to do is fill out an application and wait for the show to begin. The Wheelmobile staff will select applications at random, and if you’re lucky, they’ll call you on stage for a brief interview and a version of the Wheel of Fortune Speed-Up Round. Even if you don’t get called back, players will be awarded prizes such as Wheel of Fortune hats, t-shirts, and duffle bags. After all the players have been called up, a select few will then be chosen to participate in a final round of auditions, which will take place in Orlando at a later date in October. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, and the show is especially looking for mothers and sons or daughters, fathers and sons or daughters, and siblings.

Wheel of Fortune, which was created by Merv Griffin, first aired in 1975 and is the longest-running syndicated game show in American television history, as well as the most watched since 1984. Since its debut, Vanna White and Pat Sajak have hosted the show, in which contestants spin the wheel for a chance at solving a word puzzle and winning up to $1,000,000 in cash.

Be sure to buy your SeaWorld tickets now so you can catch an episode of one of America’s most beloved game shows and be a part of the Wheel of Fortune fun.

Eat to the Beat at Epcot Food & Wine Festival

The 13th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is just around the corner, and this year’s celebrations of all things yummy to drink and eat promises some great beats to go along with the eats. The Eat to the Beat concert series is always a favorite with Epcot guests, and not just because the live shows are included with your Disney ticket.

Every year, the Eat to the Beat concert series at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival brings in something for every musical taste, and this year is no exception. Seven Grammy award winning artists are just a portion of the 18 popular acts that will hit the America Gardens Theatre stage during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which starts on Sept. 26, and runs through Nov. 9.

Here’s what the lineup looks like:

Epcot Food & Wine Festival Eat to the Beat concerts – September

• Sept. 26-27: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (new this year)
• Sept. 28-30: Sheena Easton

Epcot Food & Wine Festival Eat to the Beat concerts – October

• Oct. 1-4: Starship starring Mickey Thomas
• Oct. 5-7: En Vogue (new this year)
• Oct. 8-9: Jonny Lang (new this year)
• Oct. 10-12: The Smithereens (new this year)
• Oct. 13-14: Sister Hazel (new this year)
• Oct. 15-16: David Sanborn
• Oct. 17-18: Jon Secada
• Oct. 19-21: Spyro Gyra (new this year)
• Oct. 22-23: Otis Day & the Knights
• Oct. 24-26: Exposé
• Oct. 27-28: Kool & The Gang
• Oct. 29-30: Boyz II Men (new this year)
• Oct. 31-Nov. 2: Atlanta Rhythm Section (new this year)

Epcot Food & Wine Festival Eat to the Beat concerts – November

• Nov. 3-5: David Cassidy
• Nov. 6-7: Night Ranger (new this year)
• Nov. 8-9: Los Lobos (new this year)

The Eat to the Beat bands have shows every night as part of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, and the shows are free as long as you have a Disney ticket for admission to Epcot. The Eat to the Beat concerts take place at the America Gardens Theatre in the America Pavilion at Epcot at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. daily.

Rock the Universe at Universal Studios

This September 5th and 6th Universal Studios where people ride the movies will be transformed to a place where people praise and celebrate their faith!

Every year since 1999 the Universal Studios Resort has hosted Rock the Universe, at the Universal Studios Park. With the top names in Christian Rock bands, celebrity speakers, candle light worship sessions, Rock the Universe is an event that the whole family can enjoy!

This year the bands are bigger, and all of Universal Studios top attraction will be open until 1 am! While you rock out make sure you experience, Revenge of the Mummy, Shrek 4-D, Men In Black Alien Attack, Terminator 2 3-D, E.T. Adventure, and the brand new Simpson’s Ride!

When you aren’t busy experiencing Universal’s world class attractions gather around the different stages set up throughout the park and rock out with your favorite Christian Rock bands! As you walk through the front lot, stop by Shrek 4-D then jam out to Switchfoot on the main stage while you make your way over to Revenge of the Mummy! After you have experienced some old testament fun, make your way towards Terminator 2 3-D and listen to New Method on Mels’ Diner Stage. After you fight the future with John Connor make your way towards the all new Simpson’s Ride while listening to the thumping of the Christian beats in the air, then take a moment to watch the color changing globes on the lagoon!

Rock The Universe is proud to present an all-star line up of talent-

Friday, September 5th

• Switchfoot
• Relient K
• Newsboys
• Group 1 Crew
• Skillet
• GRITS
• New Method

Saturday, September 6th

• Third Day
• Jeremy Camp
• Jars of Clay
• Stellar Kart
• Leeland
• This Beautiful Republic
• Special D

Make sure you checkout the celebrity guest speakers! Friday night AJ Styles of TNA Wrestling will speak about being a young superstar and over coming temptation and staying grounded! Then Saturday night HEAD formly of Korn will speak about his conversion, how he found God, quite the band, kicked drugs and lived to tell his tale!

Saturday night only there is a special candlelight service where you can join in with thousands of others to sing inspirational songs in an inspiring service let by Dr Jay Strack.

Rock The Universe is a special ticketed event and requires a date specific ticket in order to gain admission.

Hot Summer Sounds for Your Orlando Summer Vacation

Orlando is famous for theme parks, water parks and the best attractions on the planet. What you might not know is that an Orlando vacation can also mean great live music at some of the most unique concert venues in town. If you’re taking an Orlando vacation this summer, why not add a live music show to your Orlando vacation itinerary.

Epcot presents the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series
Over at Walt Disney World, they have gathered some of the best tribute bands around for a concert series under the summer skies at Epcot. The Sounds Like Summer concert series runs through Aug. 10, and features nightly shows at Epcot’s America Gardens Theatre. Here is the upcoming lineup:

• June 30-July 10: Bjorn Again, ABBA tribute
• July 11-20: Slippery When Wet, Bon Jovi tribute
• July 21-27: 52nd Street, Billy Joel tribute
• July 28-Aug. 3: Captain Fantastic, Elton John tribute
• Aug. 4-10: The Sounds of The Supremes, a Supremes tribute

A Disney ticket is required to see all shows during the Sounds Like Summer concert series at Epcot. All of the Epcot concerts are included with your Disney ticket.

Hard Rock Live at Universal CityWalk Is Jammin’ in July
The Universal Orlando Resort is one of the hottest entertainment spots to hit on your Orlando vacation, and some of this summer’s best shows are at Hard Rock Live in Universal CityWalk. Here is this month’s smashing concert lineup:

• Michael Bolton, July 13 at 7 p.m.
• Lisa Lampanelli, July 19 at 7:30 p.m.
• Zappa Plays Zappa, July 23 at 8 p.m.
• Frank Caliendo, July 25 at 8 p.m.
• Boy George Greatest Hits Tour, July 26 at 8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live is a local favorite when it comes to live concerts in Orlando. It is conveniently located at Universal CityWalk between Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. You don’t need a Universal ticket for live music events at Hard Rock Live, but a separate concert ticket is usually required. Tickets prices vary, depending on the event.

Universal CityWalk Is Hot All Summer Long
The streets at Universal CityWalk are smokin’ hot this summer, and filled with revelers enjoying their Orlando vacation. Whether you want to dance, drink or dine, you will find a place to do it at Universal CityWalk. No Universal ticket is needed to get into Universal CityWalk, however, some of the venues do require admission.

Final Flower Fest Weekends at Epcot

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is coming to a close June 1, and the final two themed weekends promise to end this year’s Flower & Garden Festival with a bang. In true Disney style, this year’s Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot has blown Epcot guests away with its gorgeous gardens, fragrant flowers and terrific towering topiaries. Best of all, every Flower & Garden Festival treat is included with your Epcot ticket!

The closing weeks of the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival are great times to visit Epcot because the gardens are in full bloom and the weather is warming up but its still not too hot. Here’s what your Epcot ticket will get you during the last two weekends of the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival:

May 23-25 – Celebrate “Outdoor Living” at Epcot

• The theme of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Fest for 2008 is ‘Fun in the Sun,’ and the “Outdoor Living” weekend means relay races, beanbag tosses and showing the kids what it means to play outside.
• Gary Puckett (May 23, 24) and The Cowsills (May 25) are the featured Flower Power Concert bands performing at Epcot’s America Gardens Theatre. This year marks the first time The Cowsills have joined Epcot’s Flower Power series.
• The Great American Gardener series features TV gardening personality Melinda Myers sharing tips for creating a super small garden in a tiny space or a warm, friendly garden in a larger area.

All of the Flower Power concerts and the Great American Gardener presentations are included with your Epcot ticket.

May 31-June 1 – Festival Farewell

• Surprise crafting activities will be sprouting up all around the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival during its final weekend.
• Author Jon Carloftis will be chatting with Epcot guests about mixing nature with everyday life at Garden Town as part of the Great American Gardener series. Carloftis has written two popular gardening books: First a Garden and Beyond the Windowsill.
• Tony Orlando will be “tying a yellow ribbon” around the Epcot Flower Power Concerts with nightly shows at the America Gardens Theatre.

Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando

The Universal Orlando Resort has some of the best events and celebrations in town, from special holiday events like Halloween Horror Nights to Grinchmas every Christmas at the two Universal theme parks. While these celebrations take the fun factor up a notch at Universal, none are as big of a party as Mardi Gras at Universal Studios! From the floats to the beads, the Universal Orlando Resort brings the spirit of Mardi Gras and the Big Easy down to Central Florida each Spring!

If you are planning a trip to the Sunshine State before April 19, your vacations plans need to include a trip to Universal Studios for all of the Mardi Gras action. In fact, all that lies between you and the party of your life is a ticket into the theme park! And while it may be good news that you no longer have to travel to New Orleans to get a feel for Mardi Gras, even better news may be on the horizon. Right here at DWTickets.com, we provide discounted tickets to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, along with all of the other top attractions in Orlando. Because we are the No. 1 online source for discounted theme park tickets, you won’t find any better deals anywhere else! So what are you waiting for – get your discounted Universal Studios tickets now by clicking here and get yourself one step closer to Mardi Gras at the Universal Orlando Resort!

As we mentioned earlier, Mardi Gras is celebrated every Saturday until April 19, meaning that time is ticking for you to join in on the fun! Each weekend, the streets of Universal Studios come alive with the sights and sounds of a real Mardi Gras party. A French Quarter Courtyard serves as the center of the party, with a Bourbon Street-feel that includes tantalizing performers direct from Louisiana and authentic Cajun cuisine!

And of course, what would a Mardi Gras celebration be without a parade? Each evening, this highlight of Mardi Gras winds its way through the streets of Universal Studios with floats direct from New Orleans right alongside floats that represent this year’s theme, “Discovering Utopia.” This one-of-a-kind parade is complete with colorful costumes, towering stilt walkers, dancers, street performers and float riders tossing handfuls of beads to parade-goers in the park.

In addition to the above festivities, Mardi Gras also features a popular act each week that headlines the Universal Studios 2008 Mardi Gras concert series. Upcoming performers include:

• Mar. 22 – Kool and the Gang
• Mar. 29 – Heart
• Apr. 5 – Huey Lewis and the News
• Apr. 12 – LL Cool J
• Apr. 19 – Earth, Wind & Fire

Universal’s CityWalk even gets into the action, as Pat O’Brien’s serves at the official CityWalk Mardi Gras headquarters. The exact replica of the famed New Orleans watering hole has a Mardi Gras theme 365 days a year. Visitors can enjoy Hurricanes on the Patio Bar with the famous flaming fountains, eat Cajun favorites in the Main Bar or join the gang in a sing-along in the Piano Lounge to celebrate the special occasion.

Universal Studios’ Mardi Gras is ending soon, so hurry up and purchase your tickets right here! But, just because all good things must come to an end doesn’t mean that the fun at the Universal Orlando Resort stops there. In fact, there is non-stop fun at all of the Central Florida theme parks 365 days a year, meaning you can take advantage of our discounted theme park ticket deals all year long right here at DWTickets.com!

Orlando Attractions Calendar March 2008

What iss happening What is closed and Where to get your discount Orlando theme park tickets

Orlando theme parks are busy places all year round. The only constant in the Orlando vacation kingdom is the cheap theme park tickets you will find at DWTickets.com.

Here’s what’s going on at the Orlando attractions this March:

Openings and Closings:

Aquatica – Orlando’s newest attraction – opens to the public March 1, so get your Aquatica tickets now and be one of the first to splash your way around the freshest Orlando theme park.

Blizzard Beach at the Walt Disney World Resort is closed for refurbishment March 1-8. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is open for business, though, so soak in all of the cheap Disney tickets you need to get wet right here.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park
Peter Pan’s Flight is closed for refurbishment March 1-14.

Sea World Orlando
Swishy Fishies in Shamu’s Happy Harbor will be closed March 8-21.

There are a ton of special events this month, and we know you want to do it all. The only way you can is by getting all of your cheap Orlando theme park tickets at DWTickets.com, the one-stop-shop for your favorite Orlando attraction tickets.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Bud and BBQ concerts offer music and munchies Sundays, March 2 and 9.

Cypress Gardens
Festival of Flowers runs from Feb. 22 – March 30.
Concerts shine on the Star Haven Amphitheatre every weekend from March 1-30.
Eggstravaganza amazing Easter event rolls in on March 22.

SeaWorld Orlando
Bud and BBQ concerts bring beer and bites on Saturdays, March 1 and 8.

Universal Orlando Resort
Mardi Gras at Universal Studios becomes the Big Easy on Saturdays through April 19.
“The Ellen Degeneres Show” returns for live tapings March 31-April 2.

Walt Disney World Resort
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival sprouts on March 19.
Atlanta Braves train at Disney’s Wide World of Sports on select days through March 27
Mickey’s Pirate and Princess Party plunders Disney’s Magic Kingdom on special nights through June 4.

No matter who you are, you will find something you like at one of these Orlando attractions during the month of March. So get those Orlando theme park tickets now and let’s get this party started!

Orlando Becomes a Music Mecca This March

People from all over the world come to Orlando for its theme parks. Smart people visit DWTickets.com first to get discount tickets to all of the major Orlando attractions. Besides offering the widest assortment of cheap theme park tickets, DWTickets.com keeps you up-to-date on the latest events in and around Orlando.

Opportunities for catching great live concerts are abundant throughout all of Orlando’s theme parks. So, check the dates, pick a band and then buy all of the cheap theme park tickets you need right here to enjoy live shows in way cool places.

The Mardi Gras celebration is continuing at Universal Studios every Saturday through April 19. You need a ticket to enjoy this annual extravaganza, so get your discount Universal tickets today and treat yourself to one of these live acts:

• Sara Evans on Feb. 16
• Third Eye Blind on Feb. 23
• Gretchen Wilson on March 1
• Smokey Robinson on March 8
• Franki Valli & the Four Seasons on March 15

Walt Disney World is setting the stage for a major annual music event. The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival – and its Flower Power Concert Series - starts on March 15. Epcot admission is required to catch these fab functions, and you are already where you need to be to get your cheap Disney tickets: DWTickets.com! So jump back to these groovy groups of the 60s and 70s

• The Guess Who on March 19-22
• Petula Clark on March 23-24
• Paul Revere and the Raiders on March 25-29
• The 5th Dimension on March 30-31

The Bud & BBQ weekends at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens are bringing some great bands to town too. And, of course, you can get your cheap Sea World tickets right here and discount Busch Gardens tickets too! Party with these acts in the next few weeks at either park:

Sea World Orlando Shows

• Trisha Yearwood on Feb. 16
• Credence Clearwater Revisited on Feb. 23
• Craig Morgan & Pat Green on March 1
• Joe Nichols & Jason Michael Carroll on March 8

Busch Gardens Shows

• Sara Evans on Feb. 17
• Styx on Feb. 24
• Clay Walker on March 2
• Gary Allan on March 9

So, no matter what kind of music you’re into, you can find it live at an Orlando theme park. And you will find the best discount tickets to get there right now at DWTickets.com!

Orlando Events

Every couple of weeks, Orlando has something special come to town. Since Orlando is the vacation capital of the world, there are always exciting comings and goings that I like to write about from time to time. The Hard Rock Live at Universal Orlando Citywalk has concerts and bands coming from time to time. Kenny Loggins is here tomorrow night, and Diana Ross will be in town toward the end of the month. The Walt Disney World Resort is currently running their Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot through June. There were a bunch of Easter-related events going on in the theme parks over the past weekend, with celebrity guest speakers and great food. There will be a new themed weekend for Cinco de Mayo (May 4-6, 2007) where you can salute in the holiday with some cool bands and great Latin-inspired food. Disney World will have a Mother's Day celebration May 11-13 of this year, which has been a time-honored tradition. Shaquille O'Neal and the World Champion Miami Heat will come into town to take on the Orlando Magic next week, and anytime "SHAQ" comes to town, you know that is going to be a blast. Sea World has a new family member as baby Shamu was born last month. That is the 9th Killer Whale born at Sea World -Orlando over the past 15 years. As your official DW Blog Man, I just wanted to give everyone the run-down on upcoming events, so get down to Orlando, Florida and experience the magic with your friends and family today!

International Drive - Orlando

When coming down to Orlando, Florida on your vacation, there is one place that literally has something for everyone - International Drive. International Drive, or "I-Drive" is the home to over 100 restaurants, attractions, discount shops, and the location of Sea World and Wet N Wild water park. A stroll down International Drive can land you at Ripley's Believe It or Not, Wonder Works, Pirates Dinner Adventure, an Indoor Skydiving pavilion, a multitude of mini-golf courses, helicopter tours, and much more. I-Drive is the place to go if you are visiting this beautiful city and want to see a lot of attractions on foot. All you have to do is get out of the hotel room and start walking on International Drive, and you are sure to stumble upon something worthwhile. From bowling alleys to skate parks to hundreds of designer outlet stores, International Drive is a must-see tourist destination in Orlando. A handful of dinner shows are there such as Pirates Dinner Adventure, the Makahiki Luau show, Sleuth's Mystery Theater and much more. If you are a fan of miniature golf, there is Pirate's Cove Mini-Golf, Congo River Golf, and Hawaiian Rumble Mini Golf. You should see the waterfalls and great putting surfaces at these places - all very exotic and fun for your entire family! Next time you come to Orlando, make sure to take a trip along I-Drive and see everything that is Orlando, Florida. Have a great weekend, and Happy Easter!

What's New at Universal

Universal Studios has announced that they are closing one of their classic, and most famous rides, Back to the Future: The Ride. I, the DW Tickets Blog Man truly loved this ride, and will be sad to see it go. This attraction was my all-time favorite ride, and one of the first of its kind in terms of virtual reality simulators. There was nothing more exciting than hopping into Michael J. Fox's 1980's De Lorean and going for a virtual reality quantum leap back in time. It appears times are changing and the younger crowds that visit Universal Studios aren't too familiar with the Back to the Future era. Universal Studios has not announced what will take it's place, but a new exciting attraction should be occupying that building by the Fall of 2007.

Universal Orlando has also been focusing their efforts on creating and bringing in new entertainment to their theme parks. Starting in the summertime, Universal will be opening the famous Blue Man Group show, hosting an act that has been a long-running hit in New York City, Vegas and other great cities around the country. The show, which is a mix of high-energy choreography, amazing music, and special effects, is going into a brand new state-of-the-art theater that was once used as a sound stage for Universal movie and music projects. Universal has been remodeling it for the past year, and the final outcome is going to turn out brilliant. There are lots of new things going on at Universal Orlando, and I am very excited to see what is in store for this summer and beyond. Have a great week, and try to catch Back to the Future : The Ride at Universal Studios before the time-travelling De Lorean takes its final flight.

Orlando Magic Basketball

The Orlando Magic are on the attack! I wanted to write another blog about the NBA because the season is winding down and the Orlando Magic are heating up. The Orlando Magic are on a winning streak and the energy is filling the arena. There are only about 10 games left in the regular season, and the Orlando Magic are looking to make the NBA playoffs for the first time in a few years. The Miami Heat are still coming to town with Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade looking to make some noise. The Orlando Magic happen to have one of the hottest teams in the NBA, and the crowd at the game is like one big party. The Orlando Magic have exciting players, talented cheerleaders, exciting halftime shows, and great food. I love going to Magic games when I get a chance, but I will be at every single game for the next month because basketball in April is intense. I would like to say thank you to the Orlando Magic for providing local entertainment to myself and all the people in Orlando that got the chance to see these guys play their hearts out. Good luck, and GO ORLANDO MAGIC !

ORLANDO MAGIC TICKETS

March Madness is here, the NBA Playoffs are around the corner, and the Orlando Magic are making their 2007 playoff run in a quest for the NBA Championship. Dwight Howard, Grant Hill, Darko Milicic and J.J. Redick are leading the way for the Orlando Magic, and games are selling out like crazy. There are only a handful of home games left in the regular season, and March and April are the most exciting months to catch an NBA basketball game. DW Tickets is not only offering great discounted tickets, but preferred seating as well. Once again, DW Tickets is going above and beyond the call of duty, and secured an allotment of great seats - in the lower bowl ! Not 0nly are lower bowl seats to see the Magic unavailable at the box office, but DW Tickets is offering great discounts to see one of the NBA's most exciting teams.

The Orlando Magic's remaining home schedule has some of the NBA's brightest stars coming to town. NBA Superstars Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat, Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Vince Carter and the New Jersey Nets, and Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics will all be making their way to Orlando within the next month. Normally, you would have to pay top dollar to see teams like that, but DW Tickets has the best deal in town! DW Tickets is the place to go if you're looking to catch an Orlando Magic game for a discounted price . DW Tickets offers the best of both worlds for NBA Basketball by providing great seats, and cutting the price so it is affordable for the entire family. I took in an Orlando Magic game through DW Tickets in their "I" Section seating, and I was overwhelmed at how great the seats were, not to mention what an exciting game I saw against the Detroit Pistons. Scalpers were selling upper deck seats outside for double the price that I paid for my Lower Bowl seats through DW. If you want to catch a fascinating product at a great price - purchase Orlando Magic tickets right here at DWTickets.com This is the Official DW Tickets Blog Man signing off. Have a great weekend, and GO MAGIC ! To buy discount Orlando Magic tickets, CLICK HERE !