Upscale Disney Pool Home

Michael Buble @ Amway Arena Mar 10 2010

2009-10-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

Michael Buble plays Amway Arena, Orlando on Mar 10 2010, only a few tickets still available.

Taylor Swift @ Amway Arena March 5 2010

2009-10-29T05:49:00.000-07:00

The Taylor Swift Fearless 2010 Tour wsgs Kellie Pickler and Gloriana comes to the Amway Arena on March 5!

Taylor, who at 19, is the youngest artist in history to be nominated for the Country Music Association’s prestigious Entertainer of the Year Award, will kick off her North American FEARLESS 2010 Tour in Florida. In 2010, Taylor will headline 37 shows in 29 cities in 22 states and provinces in the US and Canada.

Taylor’s good friend, American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler, again joins Taylor as a featured artist on all of the North American FEARLESS dates, and top selling new artist of 2009 Gloriana returns to open all of the shows.

Tickets on sale from October 30 2010.

Jet @ House Of Blues, Orlando Nov 17

2009-10-29T05:36:00.000-07:00

Australian group Jet are playing the the House of Blues, Orlando at a re-scheduled date of November 17 2009.

ICE! 2009 @ GAYLORD PALMS, FL Nov 14 2009 - Jan 3 2010

2009-10-28T16:11:00.000-07:00

ICE! will return to the Gaylord Palms Resort again this year to chill and thrill guests as part of the resort's holiday celebration. The holiday attraction is one of the coolest and most spectacular in the nation... and it happens in sunny Orlando, Florida.

Hand-carved from nearly two-million pounds of ice, the Christmas attraction has garnered national recognition from USA Today, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Southern Living magazine, and Travel + Leisure magazine.

The popular family experience gives guests a chance to visit a whimsical winter wonderland of interactive environments and larger-than-life, three-dimensional ice monuments and sculptures. The enormous structure used to house ICE! — dubbed "The Florida Fridge" — is cooled to a chilly nine degrees, making it necessary for the resort to provide over-sized parkas for visitors to wear.

This year, chill-seekers will take a trip to the North Pole and tag along on Santa's annual journey through an arctic forest where they will encounter Old Man Winter and step into the middle of a Christmas Carnival, complete with a life-sized carousel! Next, guests will be able to explore Santa's ornament room, climb onto his over-sized knee for an unusual photo op and watch as he and his reindeer take flight.

In its seventh year, “ICE!” will feature the return of the signature scene, a life-size Nativity carved completely of crystal-clear ice. It is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking depictions of the birth of Christ and along with its stirring narrative track gives guests a moment to pause for reflection on the story behind the season.

In addition, this year's Best of Florida Christmas program will include these spectacular events:

ICE! Skating
A holiday tradition common only in northern climates, ice skating may be an oddity in Florida, but this year's outdoor rink will be larger. Skate rentals are included.

Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt, featuring The Roaming Gnome
Families are invited to hunt throughout the Gaylord Palms atrium to spot cleverly hidden Traveloctiy gnomes.

Visit Santa
Kids can take an opportunity to share their special Christmas wishes with Santa Claus in person or via email.

Christmas in Florida: The County Wreath Collection
Enjoy an exhibition of wreaths decorated to reflect Florida's diverse destinations, from coast to coast.

Brunch with Mrs. Claus
Santa's "better half" hosts brunch at Villa de Flora on the weekends.

Pumpkin Spice and Everthing Nice
Everything is especially nice at Canyon Ranch SpaClub, where guests rejuvenate the body and restore the mind with an aromatic pumpkin, orange and spice holiday facial, pedicure or body wrap. What a great holiday gift for someone you love!

After freezing your "noses and toeses," you'll be ready to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa in the ICE! Cavern, a pre- and post-show area, where the ICE! experience continues. Here additional "Best of Florida Christmas" activities, such as family shows, atmosphere entertainment, special meals and visits with Santa take place.

This is one special holiday event you won't want to miss!

Tiana's Showboat Jubilee!' at Walt Disney World

2009-10-28T16:03:00.000-07:00

'Tiana's Showboat Jubilee!' celebrates newest Walt Disney Pictures animated film in the Magic Kingdom

A vibrant and festive atmosphere abounds with the spirited sounds of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou in "Tiana's Showboat Jubilee!" -- a new, live musical production that takes place on board the "Liberty Belle" riverboat in the Magic Kingdom. The 15-minute performance features an energetic cast of musicians and singers, as well as characters from the Walt Disney Pictures' animated film, "The Princess and the Frog." The limited-engagement show will be presented in the Magic Kingdom from Oct. 26, 2009 to Jan. 3, 2010.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Starting Oct. 26, Walt Disney World guests will be treated to first-ever appearances by Princess Tiana, star of the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated feature film “The Princess and the Frog.”

Besides meet-and-greets with guests, Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen and other characters from the motion picture will star in “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee!,” a rousing, colorful procession with a jazz-filled Mardi Gras theme. The good times will roll as festively dressed, bead-tossing revelers lead Magic Kingdom guests to the Liberty Belle Riverboat dock.

The party moves onboard and the Liberty Belle paddlewheels her way along the river with singing and dancing to the sounds of a six-member jazz band. Nearly two dozen Disney dancers join 30 randomly chosen park guests to be part of each show. Original songs composed by Randy Newman for the film liven the production, which will be performed three times daily. Daytime pyrotechnics and whimsical puppetry round out the spirited, 15-minute production.

The 10-week experience at Walt Disney World Resort will run through Jan. 3, 2010. “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee!” also will dazzle guests at Disneyland Park in California, beginning Nov. 6.

A hilarious movie adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana, “The Princess and the Frog” will open in limited release in New York and Los Angeles on Nov. 25, 2009, before expanding nationwide on Dec. 11, 2009.

Beginning Oct. 15, little princesses can enjoy a new Princess Tiana makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at both the World of Disney store and Magic Kingdom locations at Walt Disney World Resort.

Fairy Godmothers-in-Training sprinkle their pixie dust on aspiring princesses with three makeover packages ranging from a combination of hair, nails and makeup to the royal transformation complete with Princess Tiana costume, tiara, wand and more. All children must be at least three years or older to receive the regal treatments.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Magic Kingdom is open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily; theme park admission is required. The Downtown Disney Marketplace salon is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. There is no admission or self-parking fee required at Downtown Disney.

Advance reservations are recommended and can be made up to 180 days in advance by calling 407/WDW-STYLE (407/939-7895).

Disney Dining Reservation System returns to 180 days

2009-10-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

Disney Dining Reservation System Goes Back To 180 Days

Publish: 2009-10-27 22:32:48 Editor: Channel Source: CP
Disney Dining Reservation System Goes Back To 180 Days

Disney Dining Reservation System Goes Back To 180 Days

Disney Dining Reservation System Goes Back To 180 Days

On October 27, 2009, Disney will accept dining reservations 180 days in advance for most Walt Disney World restaurants. Park hours have been released to match these dates.

Planning ahead is key to enjoying a hassle-free Disney vacation, and Disney's online Advance Dining Reservations system makes the booking process easier than ever. Guests can view all of Disney World's table service restaurants online and make reservations with the click of a mouse.

Advance Dining Reservations can be made by calling 407-WDW-DINE or by visiting http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/.

Natalie Cole at Universal Studios, FL Dec 19 2009

2009-10-28T15:57:00.000-07:00

Natalie Cole, staying strong in the months following her kidney transplant over the summer, has booked a fresh stretch of U.S. concert dates to keep her on the road through the end of 2009. The R&B and jazz vocalist had previously schedule gigs on November 5 at Salem Civic Center in Salem, VA, and November 6 at Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach, VA.

Now Cole has six more shows to add to that list: November 20 at Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento, CA; November 21 at Northern Quest Casino in Airway Heights, WA; December 17-18 at Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, MS; December 19 at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL; and December 21 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL.

Celebration Farmers' Market - every Sunday

2009-10-28T06:03:00.000-07:00

Celebration Farmers’ Market
Hours - Sunday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Celebration Town Center
Find the freshest fruits and vegetables, arts and crafts.

Halloween @ Celebration

2009-10-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

Celebration is horrified to announce the inaugural year for:

”The LaVene Family Trail of Nightmares” - a haunted walking trail.

Celebration’s Lakeside Park walking trail will be transformed into the spookiest, scariest walking trail in Central Florida . Plus, for the kids, a “not so scary” hay bale maze and plenty of bounce houses, live entertainment and, of course there will be plenty of “festival style” food and beverage.

hdrTickets2

The LaVene Family Trail of Nightmares hours of operation:

Friday & Saturday October 23 & 24

Thursday, Friday & Saturday October 29, 30 & 31

The Park and Kids activities open at 7:30 pm

Trail of Nightmares opens at 8:00pm

Tickets:

General Admission: $12.00 per person

Discount Admission: $10.00 per person – with 2 non-perishable food items to be donated to Help Now of Osceola

Rainforest Cafe - Downtown Disney

2009-10-28T05:44:00.000-07:00

Friends and Family Appreciation Days
Click on the link above to get a $10 discount off a $25 spend - valid until December 31 2009

Halloween Horror Nights 2009

2009-10-27T07:16:00.000-07:00

Universal Orlando's Halloween Nights - Sep 25 - Oct 31 2009

Ripped from the Silver Screen

The unforgettable horror movies that made you scream were hours of pulse-pounding fear broken up by moments of sheer heart-stopping terror. Bone-chilling nightmares played out onscreen. Now those terrifying scenes, incredible creatures and blood-curdling moments have now been ripped from the silver screen and brought to life at Halloween Horror Nights

On select nights in September and October, Universal Studios Florida® theme park is transformed into a nightmarish labyrinth of haunted houses, outrageous live shows, and electrifying scare zones while an army of mutants, monsters and maniacs roam the darkened studio streets.

8 All New Haunted Houses
6 All New Scare Zones
2 All New Live Shows

Mary Poppins @ Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center

2009-10-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

May 20-June 6
Beginning in May 2010, the world’s most famous nanny will arrive at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Combining the best of the original stories by P. L. Travers and the beloved Walt Disney film, the Tony Award®-winning MARY POPPINS is everything you’d hope for in a Broadway musical – and more.

Produced by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, the show includes such wonderful songs as “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” and, of course, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”

The NY Daily News hails MARY POPPINS as “a roof-raising, toe-tapping, high-flying extravaganza!”

Don’t miss all the magic of Broadway’s super hit musical. Let your imagination take flight at this perfectly magical musical!

Dec 11 - 20 2009 - Nutcracker @ Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, Orlando

2009-10-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

The Nutcracker returns for the holiday season with the Orlando Ballet. Performed by the only professional ballet company in Central Florida, this production shines as brightly as ever with the caliber of performances audiences have come to love and anticipate.

On Christmas Eve, young Clara's family hosts a grand party where she is presented with a Nutcracker by her mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer. That night, she dreams that her Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince who takes her to his kingdom, the Land of Sweets. There, she is entertained with lively and exotic dances from other lands. Flowers come to life and the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier perform a breathtaking pas de dux in Clara's honor. As the dream and the magical land fade into the night, Clara wakes in her own room again to realize that her treasured Nutcracker was what brought her dream to life.

Orlando Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre December 11-13 and 17-20, 2009. Curtain is at 7:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30pm on Sunday matinees.

Additionally, there will be a Family Series performance of The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 11:00am. This hour-long, condensed version features all the highlights and is perfect for young audiences. At 10:00am, there will be a series of pre-show activities in the lobby including face-painting, story telling, coloring, photo opportunities with characters from The Nutcracker and basic ballet demonstrations.

For tickets and more information, call 407-426-1739 of visit www.orlandoballet.org.

VacationRentHouses.com

2009-10-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

pooh's Playhouse is now included on the new listing site Vacation Rent Houses, check it out if you are looking for a vacation.

Jackson Brown Solo Acoustic Tour

2009-10-17T04:19:00.000-07:00

BOB CARR PERFORMING ARTS CENTER NOV 17 2009

Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne kicks off his Fall 2009 Solo Acoustic Tour and plays the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre on November 17 at 8 pm. This is Browne's first solo acoustic tour since early 2008.

The stripped-down, unscripted nature of Browne's intimate solo performances can be experienced through two live albums recorded on previous solo acoustic tours in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia: the GRAMMY®-nominated Jackson Browne – Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1 (2005) and Jackson Browne – Solo Acoustic, Vol. 2 ('08).In his four-star review of Vol. 2 for Rolling Stone, Anthony DeCurtis wrote, "Between songs, Browne speaks about his life and music with moving candor…This is Browne at his best, engaging his audience, his own experiences and the world around him, all in songs that will not lose their resonance any time soon."

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2009

2009-08-31T16:07:00.000-07:00

Los Lobos

Celebrating Culinary Adventures from September 25 — November 8, 2009

In 2009, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, presented by Vanity Fair, makes its grand return, transforming the theme park into a destination filled with the world's tastiest regional foods and drinks, rockin' concerts, and unforgettable sensory experiences. Guests will delight in tantalizing new additions — from the robust and exotic flavors of Rio de Janeiro and Bangkok to world-class performers like Richard Marx, Billy Ocean and Vanessa Carlton... who will take the stage at the Festival for the very first time!

Eat to the Beat! Concert Series

Music pairs perfectly with tasty cuisine during nightly Eat to the Beat! Concerts — featuring a varied lineup of classic rock, soul, R&B, oldies, jazz and funk hit–makers. Concerts are performed 3 times each evening at America Gardens Theatre along the World Showcase lagoon. This year, 5 new acts will grace the stage, including Richard Marx, Vanessa Carlton and John Waite. Among the returning acts are Boyz II Men, Kool & The Gang, Los Lobos and many other world-class crowd-pleasers.

Location: World Showcase at Epcot America Gardens Theatre
Show Times: Daily — 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

Please note that theme park admission is required and entertainment is subject to change without notice.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy September 25 — September 27
Richard Marx September 28 — September 29
Starship, Starring Mickey Thomas September 30 — October 3
En Vogue October 4 — October 6
Better Than Ezra October 7 — October 8
Sister Hazel October 9 — October 11
Kool & The Gang October 12 — October 13
Spyro Gyra October 14 — October 16
Jon Secada October 17 — October 18
Sister Sledge October 19 — October 20
Vanessa Carlton October 21 — October 22
Taylor Dayne - Oct 23 - 25
Boyz II Men Oct 26 - 28
John Waite Oct 29 - 31
Taylor Hicks November 1 — November 2
Billy Ocean November 3 — November 5
Los Lobos November 6 — November 8

Walt Disney World - park updates

2009-08-31T15:54:00.000-07:00

Recent updates and changes to rides at Walt Disney World, Florida

Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom closed until 21 Nov
Flights of Wonder at Animal Kingdom closed 13 Sep to 23 Oct
Liberty Square Riverboat at Magic Kingdom closed 13 - 19 Sep
Donald's Boat in Toontown at Magic Kingdom closed 7 - 13 Sep
Living with the Land at Epcot closed until 1st Nov

Live concerts - North Florida

2009-08-14T05:31:00.000-07:00

Disney raise ticket prices

2009-08-03T06:55:00.000-07:00

Traditionally Disney raise their prices every August, and this year is no exception.
From Sunday 2 August 2009, Disney World increased the base price of a one-day, one-park ticket to $79 -- up $4, or 5.3 percent. The price of a similar ticket for a child between the ages of 3 and 9 will climb $5, or 7.9 percent, to $68.

Prices for the resort's more popular multiday-ticket packages will also rise, climbing between 2.6 percent and 4.7 percent. In keeping with Disney World's strategy of driving guests toward extra days in its parks - rather than those operated by rivals Universal Orlando or SeaWorld Orlando - the smallest increases are reserved for tickets good for four or more days.

Disney will also raise the price of adding a "Park Hopper" feature to any ticket -- which allows a customer to visit multiple Disney parks in one day -- to $52, up from $50. The price of adding a "Water Park Fun & More" feature, which allows admission to secondary venues such as water parks and DisneyQuest, will also rise to $52 from $50.

Still excellent value are tickets from here: http://www.park-tickets.com/?villa=148

forthcoming events - August 2009

2009-07-06T15:57:00.000-07:00

Aug 5 Green Day
Amway Arena Orlando, FL
Aug 8 Kenny Chesney
Ford Amphitheatre Tampa, FL
Aug 8 Hippiefest
Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater, FL
Aug 9 Coldplay with Elbow and Kitty Daisy
Ford Amphitheatre Tampa, FL
Aug 11 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival ft. Marilyn Manson &
Ford Amphitheatre Tampa FL
Aug 12 Dave Matthews Band with Robert Earl Keen
Ford Amphitheatre Tampa, FL
Aug 14 Def Leppard with Poison and special guest Cheap Trick
Ford Amphitheatre Tampa, FL
Aug 14 Counting Crows with Augustana
St. Augustine Amphitheatre | St. Augustine, FL
Aug 15 Judas Priest with Whitesnake
St. Augustine Amphitheatre St. Augustine, FL
Aug 15 Incubus with The Duke Spirit
Ford Amphitheatre Tampa, FL
Aug 17 Counting Crows with Spearhead
Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater, FL
Aug 18 Jonas Brothers with Jordin Sparks
St. Pete Times Forum Tampa, FL
Aug 22 Crosby, Stills and Nash
Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater, FL
Aug 26 OAR with Brett Dennen
Tampa Bay Perf Arts Ctr Morsani Hall Tampa, FL
Aug 28 Motley Crue with Godsmack, Theory of a Deadman
Ford Amphitheatre Tampa, FL
Aug 28 OAR
St. Augustine Amphitheatre St. Augustine, FL

Forthcoming events - July 2009

2009-07-06T15:38:00.000-07:00

Jul 11 One Night Stan with Confused Little Girl
House of Blues Orlando | Lake Buena Vista, FL
Jul 12 Paul Potts
Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL
Jul 12 The Wallflowers
House of Blues Orlando. Lake Buena Vista, FL
Jul 14 Collective Soul and Gavin DeGraw
House of Blues Orlando Lake Buena Vista, FL
Jul 15 Kenny Lattimore and Deborah Cox
House of Blues Orlando Lake Buena Vista, FL
Jul 17 The Avett Brothers with Matt Butcher
House of Blues Orlando Lake Buena Vista, FL
Jul 19 Bob Weir & RatDog
St. Augustine Amphitheatre St. Augustine, FL
Jul 20 & 21 Rise Against with Rancid and Billy Talent
House of Blues Orlando Lake Buena Vista, FL
Jul 22 Reel Big Fish and The English Beat with TheSupervillains
The Ritz Ybor Tampa, FL
Jul 23 Rascal Flatts with Darius Rucker
Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena Jacksonville, FL
Jul 25 Rascal Flatts with Darius Rucker
Ford Amphitheatre Tampa, FL
Jul 25 LFO with Rookie of the Year
House of Blues Orlando Lake Buena Vista, FL
Jul 27 Gogol Bordello
The Ritz Ybor Tampa, FL
Jul 30 Maxwell
Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater, FL
Jul 31 Craig Chaquico
House of Blues Orlando Lake Buena Vista, FL

Grease is the word!

2009-07-06T15:25:00.000-07:00

The one that you want is back! GREASE, Time Magazine's 2007 pick for #1 musical of the year, is rockin' across the country in this new production direct from Broadway. Take a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive-ins, and T-birds. "Bad-boy" Danny and "the girl next door" Sandy fall in love all over again to the tune of your favorite songs: "Summer Nights," "Greased Lightnin'" and "We Go Together" as well as additional songs from the hit movie: "Grease," "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "You're the One That I Want." So throw your mittens around your kittens and Hand Jive the night away with the show that'll make you want to stand up and shout, "A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop-A-wop-bam-boom!" GREASE!

Grease is playing at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Theatre Aug 25 - 30. American Idol winner Taylor Hicks is Teen Angel!

Il Diva - June 09

2009-04-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

Since coming together in 2004, four of the greatest voices in the world, David Miller, Carlos Marín, Urs Buhler & Sébastien Izambard have spearheaded an entire musical genre by bringing the sound of opera to the world of popular music. With over 22 million albums sold to date, Il Divo continue to confirm performances around the world as part of their massive touring plans for 2009 in support of their fifth album The Promise which is approaching PLATINUM status in the U.S.

The new show will be staged and choreographed by William Baker (Kylie, Jamiroquai) on a state of the art set, with a tour wardrobe designed by Giorgio Armani, featuring outfits from Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and Armani Collezioni collections.

The show will feature repertoire from their five albums and several new songs, with Il Divo on stage the entire evening.

Steeleye Span - Rent Party 09

2009-04-23T09:04:00.000-07:00

Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Walter Becker and Donald Fagen have announced that STEELY DAN will bring their 2009 U.S. Tour to Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in Orlando on June 15, 2009. Steely Dan are giving their fans an incredible opportunity to hear the band delve deep into their classic catalogue of music, offering their signature collection of selected hits and fan-requested favorites from throughout their three-decade-plus discography.

The Orlando Fringe Festival

2009-04-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

The Fringe is an eclectic, edgy and untraditional 12-day-festival founded on the concept of offering accessible theatre, music, dance, art and madness to all types and ages where 100 percent of the box office ticket sales go directly back to the artists.

The original Fringe was produced in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1947, and is now a huge International Festival. The Orlando Fringe has been entertaining audiences since 1992. Drawing visitors from around the globe, the Orlando International Fringe Festival is the longest running U.S. Fringe festival, taking place at Loch Haven Park May 14 – 25, 2009 with performances by more than 75 artistic groups.

Though there's an overall edgy vibe, the festival also has a surprisingly family friendly atmosphere. Kids Fringe, a special weekends only mini-festival created just for the little ones, and select kid-friendly shows ensure that no one is left out of this inspired fun.

Check out the complete schedule. Event tickets range from free to $10 with prices set by each of the artists. In addition to specific performance tickets, a $6 festival button is required for admission to the festival. All of the proceeds from the festival are returned to the participating artists. Advance tickets are on sale online or can be purchased on-site during the event.

For a complete schedule, ticket pricing and directions, go to orlandofringe.org.