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Mardi Gras Coming to Universal Studios Feb 11!

pairou — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:23:32 +0000

One of Universal Studios’s most popular annual events, Mardi Gras, is almost here! On Saturdays and select nights from February 11 to April 14, come and experience the wonder and excitement of a New Orleans party right here in Orlando. The event attracts visitors from all over the country as well as all over the world. Mardi Gras at Universal Studios is family friendly, with live music, a parade (complete with thrown beads!), Cajun recipes, and more, making it THE go-to spot for your Orlando vacation this Spring Break.

The parade is a dazzling event, with beautiful floats, costumes, and entertainers. Catch plenty of colorful beads, just like in New Orleans! Kids can go to the Little Jester’s Parade Viewing Areas by the Terminator attraction to make sure they’ll be able to view the parade. There is also a KidZone Mardi Pardi Krewe in the Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone, which will ensure everyone- no matter how small- will get free beads of their own. There is also a live show just for kids.

Huge musical talents perform after dusk on these special nights. Past performances include Heart, The Beach Boys, Earth, Wind & Fire, and many others. So far it has been confirmed that Kelly Clarkson will be performing on February 18!

Come for the show, stay for the After Party! Anyone with a ticket to Universal during Mardi Gras nights gets free admission to seven clubs and bars at CityWalk. (Some venues are 21 and older; CityWalk is open til 2am.)

There’s still time to make your reservation, so visit our site or call us toll-free at 1.866.882.4720!

Universal Studios – Halloween Horror Nights

Rachel — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:15:43 +0000

Halloween Horror Nights, rated America’s #1 scariest Halloween event, returns to Universal Studios Florida for its 21st year in just 30 days. This year, Halloween Horror Nights will be running during select nights from September 23 through October 31, 2011, mostly Thursday-Sunday with a few Wednesday night events. If you love Halloween and haunted houses, Halloween Horror Nights is an event you don’t want to miss. The overall theme, haunted houses, and mazes change each year, so it’s never the same experience twice.

Universal Orlando has been keeping the suspense up this year, revealing a few clues so far, but detailed information about the houses and mazes is still a well kept secret for the most part, but it’s sure to be good. The official Halloween Horror Nights 21 website and the hints revealed by Universal Orlando suggest a theme based around luck or chance and twisting it into something terrifying. There are numerous hints printed on playing cards with old proverbs about luck and death, comments regarding choices, and then pictures of creepy scary faces that you can only image what they are for. The only haunted house/maze that has been confirmed to appear at the Universal Studios event is one based on the remake of the movie The Thing, which is set to be released into theaters later this year. This means Halloween Horror Nights 21 attendees get to live the horror of the movie before it’s even released.

Although there is still amount of secrecy, Universal Orlando has announced that full details about this year’s Halloween Horror Nights will be revealed in exactly one week on August 31st. Of course, we’ll be sure to bring you the lastest details on August 31st when they are announced. If you’re looking for a real fright fest this Halloween, this is definitely the event for you. You can order your tickets to this terrifying event with your Orlando vacation package ordered through The Orlando Vacation Store. Call us or check online for details, and be sure to check back for details on Halloween Horror Nights and other Orlando fall events.

Disney World Resort – Beat the Heat! Stay at Disney!

pairou — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:18:56 +0000

It’s beginning to feel a lot like summer… but don’t fret! The nights are still cool and the days are still beautiful in Orlando! Looking for a way to beat the late-Spring heat on your Orlando Vacation? If you’re planning on a Disney vacations, then here’s a good way: why not stay at a Disney World Resort hotel? Surely, the location doesn’t matter, you protest. Oh, but it does! There are many hotels within walking, boat, or monorail distance to the four main Disney World Orlando theme parks- Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios , and Disney’s Animal Kingdom- and all Disney World Resort hotels provide transportation to all Disney areas.

You can’t get much closer to a Disney World theme park than staying at the Contemporary Resort or on the Boardwalk. Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers views of the Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle, and is a short walk away from the Magic Kingdom. Disney’s Boardwalk hotels are just a boat ride or walk away from Epcot, and there is also transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can also take the monorail to Magic Kingdom, or take a bus to Animal Kingdom.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort offers a backyard view into the Animal Kingdom’s exotic savanna, leaving some guests with the feeling that they’re almost sleeping inside the park itself (disclaimer: nobody can actually sleep inside the park, so don’t try it or you’ll get in big trouble. :p )!

The theory I present to you in simple: less travel time, less time in the sun, more time inside the Disney World park attractions. See? Simple.

New Discovery Cove Area Coming Soon

pairou — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:13:24 +0000

If you’re seeking an amazing new ocean adventure, come to Discovery Cove in June 2011 for your next Orlando vacation! A brand new addition to the marine theme park will feature two and a half acres devoted to snorkeling, swimming, and more. The new area will be called The Grand Reef, and it will include: undersea wildlife, such as rays, eels, sharks, and- of course- fish; white sand beaches to relax and catch your breath; eight cabanas to rent; and the Reef Canyons, which will be open for snorkeling exploration. There will also be a SeaVenture underwater walking tour, where the guests will put on a dive helmet and take a tour at the bottom of the water! It all sounds extremely exciting and I’m definitely going to check it out. Orlando’s Discovery Cove is famous for its dolphins- more importantly, for the chance to pet said sea mammals and even swim with them! Discovery Cove’s activities can come a little pricey for the vacation on a budget, but relax- there is plenty to do without forking over the extra cash. After all, according to Trip Advisor, Discovery Cove was recently ranked among the top 3 attractions in the U.S., and don’t forget- prices include all you can eat and drink, including alcohol, as well as use of a mask and vest or wetsuit, a snorkel (yours to keep!), and the park, which can only hold 1000 visitors at a time, requires a reservation- so call us toll free at 1-966-882-4720 or get a free quote from our website!

Orlando Vacations – Weather and Long Lines and Crowds, Oh My

pairou — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:58:43 +0000

Orlando is a vacation hotspot during the winter holidays. It is definitely a lot warmer than much of the country, as well as winters overseas. Day or night, be wary of the wind, which is usually the worst of it. During the day, it can get a bit cold, but usually one good jacket is all you need to stay comfortable- the weather is beautiful, with blue, cloudless skies. The temperature does drop at night, sometimes drastically; dress more warmly, and don’t forget the scarf and gloves. (Go on, I can wait.) Now that you’ve gotten yourself prepared for the weather, there is only one more hurdle before you… every Orlandian’s worst enemy: the dreaded holiday crowds!

SeaWorld, Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort usually get the very worst of it; long lines and crowded walkways, as well as the huddled masses in the shops who didn’t heed my warnings in the first paragraph. (This is why you should always check out our blog before you go on an Orlando vacation. :p )

But stress not- there are ways to avoid the large herd! A huge tip is to go to one park a day during the holiday event season; usually they will fill to capacity (which is a LOT of people!) and if you leave the park, you might not be able to re-enter. Once it’s full, there is no getting in. (Every park has to follow a very strict fire code.) Don’t worry, there is more than enough to do, and many visitors will have to go back to a park 2 or more times just to experience everything there is to do!

And the biggest tip of all: Get there early, as close to the opening time as you can, and go straight to the back of the park and work your way to the front. Most visitors will do it the other way around, so you’ll find there are shorter lines (or even none at all) and plenty of personal space!

Orlando Vacation Tips – Winter and Water

pairou — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:43:17 +0000

So you’ve done your homework. You know all about the holiday and new year’s events at the Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. You’re all set to see the Candlelight Processional at Epcot, watch Grinchmas at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and see some colorful costumed characters at Sea World. You also know that we offer the best prices around for vacation packages. You set it all up, tell the kids you’re going on an Orlando vacation, and pack your bags, thinking you know exactly what to expect.

Well, maybe you do, but just in case, here is an important tip to keep in mind so you can get the most out of your Orlando vacation:

I’ve said it here a million and one times- and here’s a million and two. You have got to stay hydrated at all times, especially if you’re going to be running around with the kids! One of the many reasons that people can suffer from mild to moderate and even severe dehydration is because they feel that if it’s cold, you don’t need to drink water. Well, sort of yes and mostly no- generally, you aren’t going to sweat as much as you would during the summer, so you won’t lose as much water. However, you ARE going to be walking around pretty much all day and sometimes even all night (especially on New Year’s eve!). So your body will be losing fluid pretty continually, even in winter; you just won’t feel it as much as during the hot summers.

An Invitation to Orlando, Florida

pairou — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 03:59:51 +0000

Even as a little girl, just starting first grade, my parents would take me to Disney World. Our vacations involved a lot of trips to the various theme parks, especially as the weather turned cooler. We were at a bit of an advantage- we lived less than half an hour away from Disney World, so we were always able to go during the off-season. I remember running around all day, riding rides and seeing my favorite princesses. For my birthdays we would go to the Crystal Palace at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and I’d always get hugs from Winnie the Pooh and his friends! And without fail, I would always fall asleep on the way home, having played until I dropped.

Every day, families around the world are making Disney World a regular destination, choosing an Orlando vacation over staying at home all summer. And since our company’s launch, Disney vacations are more attainable than ever! One of the first of our kind in the Orlando area, we offer competitive prices on hotel and ticket packages, helping families all over the world make their Disney dreams come true.

Come and visit Disney World for yourself! Experience the four theme parks and other attractions, or visit the Universal Escape Orlando theme parks. How about catching a show at Sea World… or with dinner, at one of the many Orlando dinner shows? See Mickey Mouse with a Santa Clause hat and count down to the New Year at Universal’s CityWalk. With so much to see and do, what are you waiting for?

Top 4 Reasons to Go to Orlando For the Holidays

pairou — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 02:55:05 +0000

1. The Décor, Of Course.

Holidays in Orlando, Florida mean beautiful decorations, everywhere. Shopping mall and outlet mall parking lots, as well as the malls themselves; restaurants; even many main streets. The most beautiful decorations of all are, of course, at Walt Disney World and Universal Escape Orlando. The walkways are lined with lights and wreaths, and colorful, glittering sights and wonderful holiday sounds are everywhere! Visiting during the holiday season is a must.

2. The Novelty

Christmas and other winter holidays are all about family. Why not treat the kids to a special treat by bringing them here for an Orlando vacation they’ll never forget? Take them to the theme parks, follow it up with a dinner show and be back in time for school. The whole family will remember the year they got to see Mickey for Christmas… and the adults can party like it’s 1999 (2099?) at Universal’s CityWalk on New Year’s Eve.

3. The Prices

Holidays mean big savings! Everything’s on sale here, just in time for the Christmas season. Make up a budget but be sure to put room in there for some shopping! Be on the lookout for killer deals and be sure to check our web site for the lowest prices around on theme park packages and hotels!

4. Photo Op, Anyone?

The best holiday cards have family photos on them- and the less forced, the better. How about a photo with the kids in front of Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Universal’s CityWalk lights, or SeaWorld’s wildlife? (We at The Orlando Vacation Store do not recommend trying to put a Santa hat on the penguins. We’ve tried. They get cranky.)

Sea World – Halloween Spooktacular

pairou — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 01:07:33 +0000

Disney World and Universal Studios aren’t the only ones celebrating Hallowe’en. Sea World’s Halloween Spooktacular, October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31, 2010 and beginning at 12 noon, is a lesser known party popular with the local Orlandians. Children dress up in costumes and can go trick-or-treating around the park. Be careful with dressing them up too warmly though- Orlando is often still pretty warm in October!

The décor is gorgeous for the event- Sea World is decked with beautiful Halloween ornaments, always keeping to its sea theme of course! With vibrant colors and so much to see and do, you AND your kids will have no problems having fun and tiring yourselves out!

You can bring your own candy bag, or get one at the front of the park if you forget your own. There are plenty of beautifully costumed characters walking around the park- about 38 or more, in fact- but bring something fun for your children to do while in line because the event has grown very popular in the past few years! There are tone of photo opts, too, so be sure to bring the most important thing of all- a camera! (While sometimes the photo opts with characters aren’t free, these are actually pretty few and far between so just keep an eye out for any signs before you get in line.)

Spooktacular also offers face painting, cookie decorating, merchandise, games, hair wrapping, a show, a Halloween Adventure… and plenty and plenty of candy!

Spooktacular does not require any additional admission- or costumes.

Disney Orlando Vacation – Fall Is Best Season To Go

pairou — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:13:16 +0000

My favorite season to go to Disney World on my Orlando vacation is definitely in the fall. The leaves in Orlando don’t quite change into the golden reds and yellows but the weather is much, much cooler than in summer- especially if you do what I do, and go after 4:00 pm. The best part is that the parks are rarely full in fall- schools are just starting, so most families won’t think about a quick weekend trip- especially not an Orlando vacation. But why not? Enjoy your kids while you can and take them to Disney World- they’ll definitely have tons to tell their classmates about when Monday comes around!

Beautiful weather, cool temperatures (sometimes even chilly, especially in the evenings), little to no crowds- and therefore shorter lines to all the best rides… Is everyone with me so far? It’s rare to have this kind of opportunity, especially when the hot Florida summers hit and everyone’s out of school! Even in spring and winter the crowds can be dense, what with spring and winter breaks and graduations.

So say you’ve decided to set aside a weekend or two for your Orlando trip to see the big mouse. When exactly should you go? Well, later on in the fall season the various theme parks and hotels, especially those on the Boardwalk, will start being decorated for the holidays- this is when the Disney World resort is most beautiful! Lights twinkle everywhere, and even the balloons sold at Magic Kingdom have some Christmas flair!

What season will YOU choose to go on your Disney Orlando vacation?