Orlando Tourism Guide

Fall, great time for theme park trips in Orlando, Florida

2011-09-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

Now that it's fall in 2011, this is the time most folks send the kids back to school and get ready for winter.

Because of that the theme parks here in Orlando, Florida suddenly become empty. Or at least compared to the busy summer months.

Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld all become far less crowded in the fall months. Also the rental cars and hotels often drop their prices at this time.

That's because they try to attract what few tourist there are to them instead of their competitors. So not only is it less crowded but you save money too!

Finally the weather here in Florida is perfect in the fall. Summer is very hot with rain each afternoon.

In the fall it goes down to around the 70's with almost no rain at all. So if you want to take a Orlando theme park vacation, now is the time!

Orlando Oktoberfest 2010 events going on

2010-10-06T18:53:00.000-07:00

Well now that it's October there's a lot of Orlando Oktoberfest events and activities going on. There's so much going on in every Orlando area location I can't list them all here.

Orlando Oktoberfest 2010 events range from beer breweries having great beer tasting events to even Disney getting in on the act!

Here's a place that has a list of some good Orlando Oktoberfest events. Of course each theme park, Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World have their Oktoberfest Halloween activities going on.

Disney has their Mickey's not so scary Halloween party going on. It's a great event for little kids that don't want to be frightened by more grown up Halloween parties.

Sea World has their Spooktacular Halloween party during the day. It's included with normal park admission, so it's a big plus for the kids.

Up in Daytona Beach is the Biketoberfest 2010 event. It's a bit like a smaller version of bike week with lots of bike vendors, beer and loud motorcycles!

Plus in downtown Orlando will be many Oktoberfest events going on in the bars, night clubs, hotels and local parks. So if your in Orlando there's lots to see and do at Oktoberfest 2010 this year!

Women's leather coats and trenchcoats

2010-09-28T17:36:00.000-07:00

Women's leather coat, 3/4 length

I know talking about women's leather coats and jackets is not what you'd expect on a tourist site. But I have a leather jacket website, and I wanted you to know about some great women's leather coat styles I just got in.

I added about a dozen new women's leather coats, including a great womens leather trench coat. Also there are some nice ladies 3/4 length leather coats, faux fur leather jackets, womens long coat and more.

They are all top quality leather with zip out liners that go all the way up the sleeves. I even have some nice pink leather jackets, leather shirts and a denim look leather jacket.

So if your looking for a nice women's leather coat, womens leather trench coat, long coats and more, check out my Women's leather coats page here and see them all. Free shipping in the USA too!

Harry Potter wands and action figures

2010-09-21T07:07:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter magic wands!

Soon the Holidays will be here, and this year Harry Potter toys will be in big demand. Because of that I made a Harry Potter wands and a Harry Potter action figures store page in my main website.

The Harry Potter wands have high quality collectible replica wands, like Dumbledore's Wand and Hermione Granger’s Wand. Plus personal wands like the ones you can find in the new Harry Potter theme park.

There are also some Harry Potter toy wands also, for costumes or just playing around with. Also check out the illuminating Harry Potter wands, they are really bright!

The Harry Potter action figures have a wide mix of those, with all the characters from the Harry Potter movies.

You can find quality mini bust of your favorite Harry Potter character for collectors, plus fun toy action figures and dioramas of Harry Potter characters.

So check them out and find the Harry Potter wand or action figure your trying to find for your kids or a collectible gift for that Harry Potter fan!

Halloween Horror nights attraction

2010-09-16T19:22:00.000-07:00

Well once again it's time for Halloween Horror nights at Universal Studios! This year is the 20th year they have been doing it, and they are making it big this year.

Halloween Horror nights is an after hours park event, meaning you have to buy separate tickets, you can't use normal park tickets. It's held at the Universal Studios park.

This year the nights are:
Sept. 24, 25, 30 Oct. 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 20-24, 27-31 from around 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

There will be 6 scare zones, 2 live shows and 8 all new haunted houses to be scared silly in! Each house will have a different theme and it should be really good.

There is no age limit, however I strongly suggest not bringing kids under 13 or so. It is very scary and the movies they play while you wait in line for the haunted houses are R rated, very gory.

So it should be another popular Halloween Horror nights this year at Universal Studios. Get your tickets early at the Universal Studios website. Costumes are NOT allowed. Have fun!

Hear the music at Disney night of joy 2010

2010-09-07T11:54:00.000-07:00

Image from: Walt Disney World's night of joy

This weekend is Disney's night of joy, a Christian music festival that is held each year at the Magic Kingdom park. September 10 and 11, from 7:30 to 1:00 AM Disney's night of joy will rock the Magic Kingdom!

Big name musicians like David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Britt Nicole, Red and many more will be there, playing christian rock, hip hop and Adult Contemporary music.

It's a fun time for all, very family friendly and yes they will have the rides going! The weather looks like it will be perfect too.

So if you enjoy Christian music of all kinds and like the Magic Kingdom, then make sure you check it out this weekend!

My new pet website, Orlando Pet Services

2010-09-05T18:59:00.000-07:00

Click here to see Orlando Pet Services website

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I made a new website. This one is called Orlando Pet Services. It gives lots of information about pets, pet products and more.

But it also talks a lot about local pet parks, services and pet shops in the Orlando area. So if you visit with your pet you will know where to take it for a nice grooming.

Or maybe you want to find a pet friendly bar or restaurant. Well you can find them in my new pet site. So check it out and let me know what you think!

Buying Harry Potter toys at Harry Potter land

2010-08-31T14:34:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter chocolate frogs

With over one million visitors already at the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it's been a big success. Many new Harry Potter toys, collectibles and apparel has been made that you can only find there.

In fact over 600 licensed Harry Potter toys and merchandise items were made as it opened and more has been added. Most of those items can only be found there or on Universal Studios new online store.

The most popular Harry Potter toy has been the Harry Potter wands and character wands at Ollivander's magic wand shop. But there is much more to find here in all the different shops at Hogsmeade village.

Harry Potter posters, figurines, shirts, books and more can all be found here. There's lots of Harry Potter candy to be found too, like those chocolate frogs and flavored jelly beans.

But the Harry Potter toys and Harry Potter collectibles are the most popular. The fact that you can only buy them here give them a special draw. So if you visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, make sure you buy your favorite Harry Potter toys and collectibles.

Harry Potter theme park a big success!

2010-08-25T16:39:00.000-07:00

Hogswart's Castle, home of the forbidden journey ride

Soon summer will be over, but Universal Studios has been very happy with the success of the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter. A week ago they were saying how they already had their one millionth guest inside the new Harry Potter land.

Now with summer over it will slow down, but not as much as most years. I predict they will have a busier than normal fall as more people come to see the Harry Potter park in the fall.

They have been very busy selling all of their over 600 licensed Harry Potter toys, collectibles and merchandise. Harry Potter wands have been a huge success as they have been running out of them almost every day.

The new Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride has also had rave reviews, adding even more to the new land of Harry Potter.

I went on the ride several times so far and it's really fantastic. If you go make sure you ride the forbidden journey ride!

Also don't forget to drink some of that Butterbeer, found only inside Hogsmeade village. It taste great; try both the regular and frozen kind.

So if you can, visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter this fall. It will be a little less crowded and not as hot. I'll be there too!

Labor Day weekend events in Orlando and theme parks

2010-08-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

Well soon it will be Labor Day weekend, time for one last party before school starts and fall comes! So just what is there to do on Labor Day weekend here in Orlando, Florida?

Well many head to the theme parks, and they will be packed! Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World always see huge crowds during Labor Day weekend.

In fact many theme parks will fill to capacity around noon or so. If you go get there early and be ready for long lines at the rides and everything else.

If you don't want to brave the crowds at the theme parks, the beach is always a nice place to go for Labor Day weekend events.

Daytona Beach and Cococa beach are only a half hour or so away and they also will have many people out there having fun. Taking a swim for the last time on Labor Day seems fitting.

Closer to Orlando downtown Lake Eola park is always a good place to have a nice walk and grab some snacks and drinks at the local food shops.

Many of the Orlando downtown bars and night clubs will have some special Labor Day weekend drink deals and events going on also, so you might want to check those out.

You can always find some Labor Day weekend sales at the shopping malls and the many stores in the Orlando area. Grab some deals and save some bucks!

The theme parks will have pretty much normal hours and events, they don't do too much of anything extra for Labor Day activities. They will just be packed!

So enjoy your Labor Day weekend events in Orlando and have fun. Grill up some hot dogs and chill out if you want to just stay home,,,, I am!

Star Wars convention in Orlando this weekend

2010-08-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Well this is a bit late, but tomorrow, August 12th is the start of the big Star Wars convention here in Orlando. Set in the Orange county convention center, it should bring around 25,000 star wars fans.

Titled Star Wars Celebration V, there will be lots going on. Even Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill will be there, and George Lucas will be interviewed by Jon Stewart onstage Saturday morning.

So if your a Star Wars fan this will be a really cool show to see. There will be tons of vendors there selling everything you can think of Star Wars themed.

It will be August 12-15 at the Orange county convention center. Admission is $48.00 for adults, $27.00 for kids. Go and have fun!

Disney and Orlando theme parks pushing deals for the rich

2010-07-24T09:55:00.000-07:00

With the economy still down one would not think the theme parks would be making things for the rich. But that is one of the things Disney and other Orlando theme parks are doing.

The ultra rich have money to spend and are not cutting their vacations like the rest of us. So to boost revenue Disney and theme parks are pushing more things for the rich to spend on.

For example Disney is pushing their new Golden Oaks residential development with houses going for as much as 8 million dollars!

Meanwhile Sea World is expanding their Discovery Cove park, where their swim with the dolphins packages start at $199.00 per person.

So while the rest of us do without our vacations and save, the theme parks are trying to cater to the super rich in whatever way they can.

Nothing wrong with that. Maybe that will get more jobs going. I know however I'm not going to be looking at any 8 million dollar homes anytime soon.

Universal Studios show, Mat Hoffman’s Aggro-Circus

2010-07-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

Over at Islands of Adventure in Universal Studios they finally have a show to use toon lagoon theater. called Mat Hoffman’s Aggro-Circus, it's a cool show of extreme sports.

They have the stage and surrounding area filled with ramps, half pipes and even a motorcycle cage. Top inline skaters, motocross riders and skaters perform cool tricks and feats.

They even have great music and strobe light shows as the show is going on. So it's a fun show for the whole family, even if your not crazy about skaters or motocross.

So if your at Islands of Adventure in Universal Studios, take a break from the rides and walking and check it out at the toon lagoon theater!

Youtube video of Hogsmeade village at Harry Potter land

2010-07-08T06:49:00.000-07:00

Well since Harry Potter is all the rage right now, I thought I'd show you yet another youtube video I made. This one is of Hogsmeade village and the shops.

You also can see the Hogswarts express train and how crowded the place was! I'm going to go back at night and take more pictures and videos when they have all the lights on.

It's very pretty to see the lights in the Hogsmeade village shops, even the Hogswart castle is lit up with light shining through the windows way up there.

Anyway enjoy this youtube video of Hogsmeade village at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter park at Universal Studios! :)

Youtube video of Hogswart castle from different angles

2010-06-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

Well everyone, I finally got to go on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, and boy was it fun! Above is my youtube video I made of Hogswart castle. I took different angles of it and shot close-ups with my 70X zoom lens.

As you can see they did a great job in making Hogwarts castle very detailed with everything in it. It sits in the back end of Hogsmeade village, which is done very detailed itself.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a very fun ride that takes you flying all over around the castle. It's a lot like the spiderman ride at Universal Studios, only better.

So make sure you check it out. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a great park for Harry Potter fans. Enjoy this youtube video of Hogswart castle!

The wizarding world of Harry Potter now open

2010-06-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

Well in case you missed it, The wizarding world of Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios is now open! The grand opening was on the 18th and boy was it crowded!

They had two lines going out to the entrance of the whole Universal Studios complex, that's how many people showed up. The wait was around 6 hours to get into the new Harry Potter land.

Then once inside you had lines to every shop, beverage cart and ride! Needless to say I did not go that day. However now that the big hoopla is over I will be going and giving a first hand account on everything.

So stay tuned to new pictures and even some Harry Potter youtube videos that I will take. Below are a few new pictures I took today in fact. If your a Harry Potter fan, make sure you visit the new wizarding world of Harry Potter at Universal Studios!

Harry Potter and the forbidden Journey youtube video

2010-06-03T01:49:00.000-07:00

Well everyone, they are finally letting regular guest into the new Harry Potter land at Universal Studios! It's part of their soft opening, working out the bugs so to speak.

Now so far they are not giving any clue as to when they will let anyone in, or how long they can stay in. They just open the doors and let a few in when they want to.

Above is a new youtube video someone took of the line going into the new Harry Potter and the forbidden Journey ride, the center piece of the park for most.

You can see the talking pictures, lots of cool effects and even the main characters greeting you. So check out the video and I'll try to make my own soon!

Orlando vacation transportation at Concierge Transportation

2010-05-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

Many people who take an Orlando vacation don't rent a car. Instead they rely on taxi and shuttles to get them around. Often doing that ends up cheaper and less hassle than if they rented a car. One of the best places for that is Concierge Transportation.

They have luxury cars and limos for those who want the best in transportation. But they also have regular taxi cars, shuttle vans and whatever else you might need for Orlando transportation.

They do Orlando airport pickup and drop off, Disney and other theme park shuttle services, downtown taxi service and more. They even have service to take you to your Disney cruise ship at Cape Canaveral and any other cities around Orlando.

Concierge Transportation is a full service taxi transportation place based in Orlando that can handle all your needs. Want to rent a limo for the prom or wedding? Need a luxury car for your CEO or just want to travel in style?

Maybe you have a large party and need a van shuttle? Or perhaps you want a ride to Daytona beach, Miami, Tampa or other Florida cities? Concierge Transportation services can do all that for you.

They have been in business for years and are local Floridians. So they know the area well and English is their first language. If you need a taxi or any type of transportation in Orlando, check out Concierge Transportation for your Orlando vacation needs!

New visits to the Harry Potter world at Universal Studios

2010-05-19T04:35:00.000-07:00

We are getting closer and closer to the opening of the new Harry Potter land at Universal Studios. People from the group Orlando International Pow Wow, a travel and tourism industry group got to take a sneak peek at some of the park.

They got to walk around the park and even go into some of the shops. No, they did not get a peek at any of the rides, including the big secret Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.

They were able to buy some butterbeer and even purchase a wand. Mostly they just got to see lots more details of the new park. Overall most seemed impressed with the tour.

So the soft opening of Harry Potter Land should be very close at hand. Notice I said soft opening, not the grand opening. I predict a soft opening could come as soon as the last week of May.

Horse world in Orlando, Florida

2010-05-07T02:02:00.000-07:00

Horse World Riding Stables is the perfect place for those who want to spend time riding on natural wooded trails. This establishment offers a petting zoo, instruction for adults and children, horseback riding, pony rides, guided trail rides and nature trails. People of all ages and skill levels can enjoy this exciting experience.

Have you ever dreamed about riding a horse while listening to the sounds of a working ranch? That's the beauty of a visit to Horse World Stables. Forget about your everyday worries and enjoy hundreds of acres of nature on a guided trail ride or take some riding lessons. After your ride, take the kids over to the on-site barnyard and playground.

Riding is a sport and you need to train and practice. For this reason Horse World Riding Stables offers riding lessons fitting all types of riders from the beginner to the advanced. Whether you’re young or old, expert or novice, a horseback riding trip is an adventure you’ll never forget.

Horse World Riding Stables features three levels of guided trail rides. The Nature Trail is a basic ride suitable for those with no experience. The Intermediate Trail is a faster paced ride, while the Advanced Trail addresses to all those who have a lot of riding experience. As you see, this establishment has something for everyone.

Guests can also feed and pet farm animals, toss horseshoes, play volleyball and bring their own picnic lunch to enjoy under a picnic pavilion or shady oak tree. Leave your phone at home and don’t worry about the time and where you have to be. There are many types of wildlife to explore while on your ride and you can see how Florida used to be.

What:
Horse World Riding Stables

Wet N Wild water park in Orlando, Fl.

2010-05-03T04:42:00.000-07:00

Wet 'n Wild is America's number - one water park in Orlando, Florida. It was honored by Aquatic's International as the first true water park due to its unique attractions. Handy for all the other parks, it enjoys visitors from the nearby hotels, I-Drive itself and the Universal Boulevard, being also close to Sea World and a short walk from Universal Studios.

This place is perfect for families as all of the rides are designed for between 2 and 4 people. The wave pool is fantastic and refreshing. Bubble Up addresses to children under the age of 13. This park features several pools from the Black Hole and kamikaze style slides to the gentler curly wave pools for people of all ages.

Disco H2O (similar to Brain Wash), Black Hole and Surge are probably the most popular attractions offered by Wet 'n Wild. As you see, there are some great rides here and most of them are suitable for smaller children. It has more major rides than most other parks and some are truly unique. You won't find boring and common attractions there.

Another big plus for Wet 'n Wild is that you can take food and drinks in. Safety is clearly maintained and the park is clean and tidy. The staff is always polite and courteous. There are a lot of rides and there is more variety than at Disney water parks. Wet 'n Wild is the most unique park of its kind.

This park has been around for a while but it's still a great place for the whole family. The rides vary from wild to mild, so you don't have to worry at all. There are rides for thrill seeking singles groups and couples. If you love water and have the time, go to Wet’ n Wild next to Universal Studios in Orlando, you will love it!

What:
Wet n Wild water park in Orlando

Written by guest author Andra Picincu, who writes for several ezines and websites. Go to Associated Content to see more of this author's work.

Popeye and Bluto Bilge Rat Barges water ride

2010-04-23T05:15:00.000-07:00

Yes today I have yet another youtube video I made! This one is of Popeye's and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges water ride at Universal Studios, located in the Islands Of Adventure park.

It's a really fun ride, however most people do get really soaked on it! The video does not show that, but trust me your shoes, pants and even your upper body will get soaked.

Think of getting hit with a fire hose and that pretty much sums up how wet you will get. But the kids love it of course, so if you don't mind getting wet it's a great ride.

I recommend putting all your stuff in the rental lockers, and wearing rubber flip flops, keeping your shoes and socks in the locker.

Kids need to be at least 44 inches tall, so keep that in mind. Watch this youtube video of Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges water ride at Universal Studios and see if it's a ride to add to your do or don't list!

Youtube video Storm Force Accelatron ride

2010-04-19T07:13:00.000-07:00

Here's another youtube video I made. This one is of the Storm Force Accelatron ride at Islands of Adventure in Universal Studios. It's located sort of behind The Hulk roller coaster.

It's a pretty mild ride, just going around and around as the whole platform moves and spins. But it's a lot of fun for the little kids, and the whole family can go on it.

You do however have to be 48 inches or taller to go on it. It's hardly ever full as it's often overlooked by teens wanting to go on the extreme rides.

So watch this youtube video of the Storm Force Accelatron ride and see if it might be something you want to take in on your next visit to Universal Studios!

Bliss Ultra Lounge nightclub in Orlando

2010-04-09T01:20:00.000-07:00

A trip to Orlando provides the perfect opportunity to find out more about the nightlife of a city. Bliss Ultra Lounge nightclub delivers on its promise of a blissfully good time, which makes it the perfect place to celebrate or just go out with friends in the heart of Downtown Orlando.

This extraordinarily fashionable venue features an exclusive VIP club and additional amenities such as a top notch sound system and dramatic glass chandeliers. The club draws an almost exclusively young crowd, typically well-dressed, and surprisingly well-mannered. The well trained staff are experts at planning out the events. From virtually every location in the venue you can view or be viewed by the entire crowd.

Another great thing about Bliss Ultra Lounge is that it has a sophisticated interior decorated in a gothic, but classy style and a large choice of cocktails. More than that, they play all the hottest dance and house music as well as offer that big city club vibe in an upscale venue. Every detail from the bar layout to table placement are designed with functionality yet maintain elegance.

With over 8000 square feet in two stories and 20 VIP tables, Bliss Ultra Lounge can accommodate any kind of events. Expect to be entertained by DJs, live music and exclusive shows.

As you see, this nightclub is the perfect choice if you want to have fun and enjoy an exquisite atmosphere. Bring your friends in, forget about your every day worries and get ready to party at Bliss Ultra Lounge night club in Orlando!

What:
Bliss Ultra Lounge night club

Harry Potter world set to open June 18

2010-04-06T04:19:00.000-07:00

More news about the new Harry Potter world at Universal Studios! They just announced that the grand opened for it will be,,,,, June 18th.

Now, they already are selling vacation packages saying that you can experience Harry Potter for May 28th. So, does that mean they were wrong? No, because they always have a "soft" opening for any ride or theme park.

So what is a soft opening? Well, they throw the doors open to the Harry Potter park and let people start to ride the new rides. But, they know there will be glitches and problems they did not think of.

So they fix them in this soft opening period, get things working right. Then when they announce the big, real grand opening, they will not look bad when things break down, see?

The people visiting during the soft opening will have a good time in general, but may see delays in the rides or see some things that they need to fix or work on.

Anyway, once again the official grand opening of the Harry Potter world in Universal Studios has now been set for June 18th!