Orlando Magic Get Some Additional Magic from the Nets

One more abracadabra trick has been added to the Orlando Magic’s arsenal for the 2009-2010 Season! Yes, we just exited the playoff-run season, but looking ahead to the Magic’s upcoming season just got that much more exciting with the addition of NBA All-Star Vince Carter! The Orlando Magic has acquired Vince Carter, as well as Ryan Anderson, from the New Jersey Nets, in a 3-person trade deal. The Orlando Magic gave up players Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, and Tony Battie from the playoff-run team, but has in turn gained a true all-around superstar, with hopes of one day holding the National Championship trophy!

The eight-time All-Star, who averages around 23.5 points a game, is a great new asset for the Magic as they look towards the 2009-2010 Season! The 6-foot 6-inch, 220 lb., shooting guard brings the talent and skills needed to execute a championship for the Orlando Magic. Just shy of winning an NBA Championship title this past season, the Magic needed one more “big-shot” player to battle against the NBA powerhouse teams of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the, NBA Championship winners, Los Angeles Lakers. As the current holder of the NBA playoff record for most three-point field goals made in one game and holding the record for the most three-point goals made in one-half during the playoffs, Vince Carter might be JUST what Orlando needs to keep their consistency in the “big” games.

Eight players have definitely re-signed with the Orlando Magic for the coming season. With spots still open, the Magic will look to the free agents to fill the remaining slots, starting July 1. Due to the large inquisition of Vince Carter and still footing the large bill for all-star greats of Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis, the Magic have now been backed up against the NBA’s luxury tax threshold. In the simplest of terms, the Magic are tight on what their money will allow for acquiring more players. Magic favorite Hedo Turkoglu might be the next out for the Magic. After turning down a $35 million/4 year contract from the Magic, it appears as if Turk will walk away to teams such as Detroit, Houston, Portland, or Sacramento who might be able to foot his aim for a $50 million/5 year contract.

The upcoming season will definitely be interesting as powerhouse Magic powerhouse players Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and, now, Vince Carter combine their “magical” powers together! After a run at the NBA Championship Title, the Magic will be out with a vengeance wanting to take back the Championship crowning title to their hometown! Tickets will be difficult to attain with the newly attained gems to the team, the All-Star lineup cast, and being still in the spotlight as the runner up to a National title! To see the “Magic” happen, make sure to stay tuned to DWTickets.com for your discount Orlando Magic tickets.

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…

Events Going on In and Around Orlando

TGIF - this is your official DW Blog Man wishing everyone a very happy Friday and a great weekend. Just wanted to share some new and exciting events that are happening around Orlando. First of all, Congratulations are in order for the Orlando Magic, who have made the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2003. The Orlando Magic will be playing the Detroit Pistons in the 1st Round of the 2007 NBA Playoffs, and will be hosting two games in Orlando on Thursday, April 26, and Saturday April 28 at Amway Arena. GO MAGIC !

New in town is the Tommy Bahama Cafe on International Drive. The Tommy Bahama store has been around a while in Pointe Orlando, right in the heart of the tourist district, but now a delicious cafe has opened. The drink specials are great, the food is hearty, and the atmosphere is relaxed. The Flower and Garden Festival is still going strong at EPCOT in Disney World, and will be running until the beginning of June. There is a rumor that SOARIN' at EPCOT will be turned into "SOARIN' over America" by 2008. Currently, the ride is all about the state of California, but the new edition is in the works. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and see you down here in Orlando, Florida !

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 !