Travel, Theme Parks, and Resorts
New Disney Princesses and More Shoe Ornament Collection
Last year we saw the release of the popular Mickey Ear ornaments and this year we have the release of the Disney shoe ornament! Just like the Mickey Ear ornaments before them you can find a shoe ornament for almost every popular character. Princesses, Villains, Minnie Mouse, Mary Poppins and even a shoe for Jack Skellington.
They can be found in most stores around WDW, but for the best selection check out Disney’s Days of Christmas at Downtown Disney and the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe at Magic Kingdom.
Price: $22.95 each.
Jasmine (Aladdin)
Tiana (Princess and the Frog)
Rapunzel (Tangled)
Ariel (The Little Mermaid)
Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
Snow White (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
Cinderella (Cinderella)
Evil Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)
Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland)
Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmations)
Ursula (The Little Mermaid)
Daisy Duck
Minnie Mouse
Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins)
Jack Skellington (A Nightmare Before Christmas)
Alice (Alice in Wonderland)
Tinker Bell (Peter Pan)
You can also get your shoe ornaments personalized with things like names or dates.
I immediately bought the Ariel and Rapunzel ornament as they are my favorite princesses. The shoes are incredibly detailed and the ribbon is on a hook so you can remove it if you want to put the shoes on a shelf instead. The shoe ornament is a wonderful little collectible!
Which one is your favorite? Which character would you like to see as a shoe ornament?
Waddle to the Bottom of the World at SeaWorld’s Antarctica:Empire of the Penguin
After seeing commercials and promotions for the ride attached to SeaWorld Orlando’s newest attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, I was quite excited to try out the new ride technology as well as visit the penguin habitat. I was unprepared for exactly how much theming has gone into this new area of SeaWorld Orlando. The story behind the area is that you are on an expedition to the South Pole, a place most people will never journey to, and you experience what the exploration would be like, as well as seeing things from the point of view of a newborn Gentoo penguin named Puck. When you first enter the Antarctica section, you see tall pine trees and soaring glaciers approaching. As you journey into the ride, more glaciers and icicles line your path and soon you enter an indoor queue full of colorful lighting as you wait for your penguin education to begin. In the pre-show area, you learn about the lives of penguins, and one family in particular, waiting for their egg to hatch so they can move on before a great storm approaches. This little hatching penguin is Puck. And as we enter the remainder of the pre-show area, it is Puck we are now following. We enter an enclosed room which you share with the rest of the riders for your vehicle. There we see Puck again and discover we will be following his journey. Similar to Turtle Trek, where you follow a particular turtle on his life journey, this animated portion of the attraction is full of cute, but dangers may lie ahead for little Puck.
**Below is a full ride-thru description, so if you don’t want any “ride spoilers” skip this next two paragraphs** Before entering this area, you decide if you want to ride “Wild” or “Mild”. Wild being the more accelerated, motion-enhanced version of the ride. Mild is just that, mild, with minimal spinning and motion. Once inside, your journey continues through a series of rooms full of brightly colored lights, icicles and other candy for the eyes. In these first two rooms, we are basically just experiencing the technology of the ride vehicle, dancing around other vehicles and exploring every aspect of the rooms. We then move on to a room with more of the animated sequences. Puck has grown and we are following him as he finds his way in the waters and ice of the South Pole. Our ride vehicle then “becomes” Puck in a sense, as we mimic his movements when he waddles and jumps. We then move on as another storm is approaching, and in this next scene, that danger I mentioned before shows up, in the form of a hungry seal. Puck makes it out okay, and as we see his is safe, the ride vehicles spin around to reveal the actual penguin habitat, full of 4 different species of penguins, frolicking, hopping, swimming, diving and waddling around their 30 degree enclosure. From there we move to the unloading area and get out to visit with the penguins in 3 different areas, including an underwater viewing area which is outside of the 30 degree enclosure.
According to SeaWorld spokespeople, the ride itself has many variations within the ride, promising a different adventure each time you ride. I rode it twice, and did notice a little variation within the vibrations of the ride vehicle and the way we entered the first room with the film was backwards vs. forwards the first time, so the possible changes are subtle (not a different ending or different movie on screen), but fun nonetheless. Bottom line, the ride itself is just a really fun way to get to the penguin exhibit. The ride technology is definitely fun to experience (for Disney buffs, similar to Pooh’s Hunny Hunt in Tokyo Disneyland), and the colorful lights and penguin story are fun to look at. I do wonder if guests who just want to see the penguins without going on the ride will be able to enter through the exit to do so.
The penguin habitat itself is impressively put together, with no glass walls and very little separating guest from the penguins. As they swam by and flipped their little tails, we did get wet, which is cool – literally, with the 30 degree temperatures in the room! The most dramatic and for me, most fun to watch was actually the floor to ceiling underwater viewing area. Even though we are separated by glass, we can observe the penguins diving and floating and interacting. It was really enjoyable to see.
I’ll have more reviews coming up, including a video featuring SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment creative director Brian Morrow, details on the food and drink offerings, merchandise and more. Until then, enjoy this Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin photo gallery
Busch Gardens Premiers a Fun New Madagascar Live Show
Last week a brand new live music show premiered at Busch Gardens in Tampa. Madagascar Live: Operation Vacation brings all your favorite Madagascar characters to the stage, with original high-energy songs and dance numbers. The show is held in the Stanleyville Theatre, right near the Sheikra coaster. When we saw it, the theatre was filled with school groups, who were super excited about the show and really enjoyed it. The songs are catchy and you can’t help but want to get up and dance, no matter what your age. Of course, King Julien’s signature number “I Like to Move It, Move It” is played as well, which makes the crowd go WILD (pun intended).
“We are thrilled to partner with DreamWorks Animation to bring the hugely popular Madagascar characters to Busch Gardens,” said park President Jim Dean. “Both Busch Gardens and DreamWorks share a core the mission to provide quality entertainment to audiences. This show is certain to have families engaged and amused and will round out the triple play of amazing shows, thrilling rides and unique animal encounters that our park delivers.”
The lively stage show encourages families to sing, clap and dance along to original songs and party favorites on a 20-minute musical adventure. Singers, dancers and a live band join the rollicking Madagascar characters as they amp up the party to full throttle. And as part of each show, guests can meet the characters following the performance in Stanleyville Theater, which has been renovated and is now an enclosed and air-conditioned theater.
Here is a gallery of show images to get you excited. Be sure to add Busch Gardens to your summer “must-do” list this year!
Busch Gardens is fast becoming one of my favorite parks to just hang out in. I’m not a huge coaster person, but there is still so much to do here from animal habitats to shows to sky rides and train tours. It’s a great place to make a day trip over to, and don’t forget Adventure Island water park next door to cool off!
Opening Date for LEGOLAND Florida World of Chima Expansion
I recently got a sneak peek peak at the newest creation at LEGOLAND Florida, the World of Chima expansion. I loved seeing the plans for this new area of the park and the rides and characters who will fill this section. Today, the opening date was announced, here is the official press release:
An army of animal tribes from LEGOLAND® Florida’s newest expansion featuring interactive family fun, The World of Chima presented by Cartoon Network, invaded Central Florida today with an important announcement. The dozens of three-foot LEGO® models of characters from the new product line, LEGO® Legends of Chima, descended upon downtown Orlando and downtown Tampa, bearing tags announcing that the park’s The World of Chima attraction will open to the public on July 3.
Laval the Lion, Eris the Eagle and members of other Chima animal tribes are searching for the missing CHI, a powerful energy source needed to power LEGOLAND Florida’s newest attraction that was stolen by Cragger, the leader of the Crocodile tribe.
Soon fans can join The Quest for CHI to help Laval and his friends find the CHI needed to power The World of Chima presented by Cartoon Network by joining an interactive Facebook contest beginning May 27 at www.facebook.com/
This expansion will be one of the centerpieces of the new LEGO Chima brand, which already includes a major LEGO product line, a stunningly animated television series to air on Cartoon Network beginning in July and multiple interactive video games and apps. LEGOLAND Florida is the only place in the world that LEGO fans can go to unleash the power and be fully immersed in The World of Chima, providing an experience like no other.
The centerpiece of the new World of Chima at LEGOLAND Florida is an interactive, family-friendly water ride, The Quest for CHI. Guests will enter The World of Chima through a fantastical stone and moss covered entrance which leads to the Lion Temple at the base of the majestic 45-foot tall floating Mount Cavora. There, guests will explore a diverse landscape setting and join the Lion Tribe in an epic battle to recover the stolen CHI orbs. Guests will board a watercraft which will take them on an interactive experience using water cannons to help their hero, Laval the Lion Prince, defeat Cragger the Crocodile King as he attempts to steal the precious supply of CHI. The journey will take them through the land of Chima where they will meet some of the highly advanced animal tribal habitats, including the Rhino Quarry, Raven’s Roost, Eagle’s Nest, Wolves Encampment, Gorilla Forest and Crocodile Swamp among other imaginative settings.
The World of Chima also features a super-charged, super-fast SpeedorzTM Arena where multiple players build their LEGO Speedorz and compete to win the precious supply of CHI by participating in-group challenges and competing in a series of obstacles. Families can also enter Cragger’s Swamp, the Croc Tribe’s secret hideout, where they will find a lush green foggy swamp filled with playful bubbles, intermittent water spouts and interactive elements that trigger swamp water effects. A new 4D movie, the LEGO Chima 4D Movie Xperience, will further immerse families into The World of Chima by bringing the characters to life on the big screen. Kids will also get to meet their hero Laval the Lion Prince and Cragger the Crocodile King at daily character meet and greet sessions. Plus, with the largest supply of LEGO products in Central Florida, guests can find their favorite LEGO Legends of Chima sets and Speedorz.
For more information regarding The World of Chima presented by Cartoon Network and the more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, visit www.LEGOLAND.com. The best way to experience LEGOLAND Florida is with a Florida Resident Annual Pass for just $99 plus tax. Pass members will receive unlimited admission for 12 months to LEGOLAND Florida and the LEGOLAND Water Park along with other Merlin U.S. attractions including LEGOLAND California Resort & Water Park, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, Sea Life Centers and Madame Tussauds with no blackout dates. The LEGOLAND Florida Resident Annual Pass also includes admission into special events throughout the year including Red, Brick & Boom, Brick-or-Treat, Christmas Bricktacular and Kid’s New Year’s Eve. Additionally, pass members will enjoy free parking and discounts on all food and merchandise throughout the year.
4-D SpongeBob Movie and Bikini Bottom Breakfast Make Nick Hotel the Place to Be!
I’ve been a fan of the Nickelodeon Suites Hotel since it first opened (in fact, I stayed there while it was under construction waaay before Zannaland existed). I think the combination of a family suite with bunk beds and a separate adult bedroom, mixed with SO many fun activities and characters that kids know and love, is just perfect for any family visiting the Orlando area.
I recently had the opportunity to attend the Nick Hotel’s new Bikini Bottom Breakfast and see their brand new 4-D movie experience featuring the whole SpongeBob gang. It was a super fun day and I can’t wait to take my kids back to see it first hand. The character breakfast is not your average breakfast with characters coming to the table and that’s it – here they dance, they sing, it’s action-packed and fun for all. The breakfast buffet and omelet station was a great complement to the fun.
The 4-D movie – The Great Jelly Rescue – was better than some I’ve seen in theme parks! The interactive “4-D” level of sights, smells, and action was spot on and the computer animated version of Bikini Bottom and its inhabitants were enjoyable for all. The Nickelodeon Suites Hotel has a bunch of new things for this summer:
- Make a splash at SpongeBob’s Bikini Bottom Breakfast. Hula your way to the breakfast buffet and hang out with SpongeBob SquarePants and some of your other favorite deep-sea dwellers. It’s high tide at the Nicktoons Cafe, so catch a wave and come on by! Check out the photos of the breakfast below:
- Discover Dora’s Friendship Fiesta as Dora takes us on an amazing adventure, exploring everything about friendship on our way to the Meet & Greet Fiesta. With Boots, Team Umizoomi’s Milli and Geo, and other friends, you’ll help find the way to this one of a kind celebration.
- Dive into SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D: The Great Jelly Rescue! The 4-D Attraction joins SpongeBob with his friends in tow on a rollicking adventure when the villainous Plankton abducts all the Jellyfish with his pollution-belching contraption. It is up to SpongeBob SquarePants to save the day, free the Jellyfish and destroy Plankton’s terrible machine. See how SpongeBob’s big heart puts him oceans above the rest! It’s all in digital 3-D with awesome 4-D effects like bubbly bubbles, windy wind and more sensory surprises.
There’s always something fun happening here, and I was really impressed with the property and especially the “mall” area with different food options (including dinner with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), an arcade and shops, the 4-D movie and of course, SLIME! Definitely add the Nick Hotel to your list of must-sees when you visit Orlando! Here are some photos of the suites:
You can find out much more about the Nickelodeon Suites Hotel, pricing, special packages and costs for the character meals, movies and Double Dare Challenge at NickHotel.com.
Disclosure: I was provided complementary breakfast and 4-D movie showing – my opinions are my own.
Kings Bowl Rolls Into Orlando With Flair, Food, and Fun!
Last week a new kid on the block opened up over on I-Drive – Kings Bowl, a luxury bowling and dining establishment, hailing from the great city of Boston (proud Boston girl here!) opened its doors to those looking for a fresh spin on a classic pastime. As seems to be the norm with these new, deluxe bowling alleys, the emphasis is on great dining, great drinks, and a place for adults to kick back and enjoy.
Kings Bowl features a really fun atmosphere with a definite adult vibe. 60 Big screen HD TV’s show the latest sports action, two separate 40-seat bars offer unique alcoholic creations and two tables over in the dining area actually feature kegs IN the table, chilled to a perfect temperature, the spinning tap allows you to choose up to 4 of your favorite brews and serve yourself. Truly a unique draw and something I think every beer drinker will want to try. One of the bars is located in an outdoor, climate-controlled patio, perfect for the summer months (or most of the year) here in Orlando.
The food at Kings Bowl was incredible. Definitely not what you’d expect at just any old bowling alley, and I dare say it rivals most dining spots around town. The Steak Tips were my favorite, but the Pulled Pork BBQ and the Buffalo Chicken Wontons were delicious too. I can totally see folks just hanging out here for the food, drinks and atmosphere, but the bowling offers another element to keep the party going. Be sure to try the Fizzy Lifting Drink if you’re up for something stronger!
Speaking of parties, Kings Bowl has two private available to book, accommodating 50 or 100 people. One features a closed-in glass walled area, where you can bowl and have access to the outside bocce court. The other opens onto the billiard and shuffleboard area. This area is also home to the VIP room, where two lanes can be curtained off, with a private back entrance to the building for any celebrities wanting to bowl a few frames. There are 22 full-sized lanes to test your skill on, and yes, there are bumpers for the kids (or grown-ups).
I think Kings Bowl is a wonderful addition to I-Drive and the kitchy, 50’s feel to the design makes it a fun experience for all. The place switches over to adults-only (21+) after 6, so leave the kiddos at home after then. Perfect for a date night, girls night or guys night out – there’s something for everyone! Kings Bowl is the first partner to open up in the I-Drive Live project, an area of the burgeoning I-Drive District which will feature a new Madame Tussaud’s wax museum, Sea Life Aquarium, giant observation wheel, multiple shops, restaurants, and more.
Here’s a gallery of photos from the swanky Kings Bowl Orlando (click to enlarge):
Pricing is as follows:
Bowling Pricing/Shoe Rental
Before 6PM
Every Day – $5.oo
After 6PM
Sun-Thurs – $6.00
Fri & Sat – $7.00
All prices are per person, per game.
There is a two game maximum when on a waitlist.
Shoe Rental – $3.00
Socks – $3.00
Billiards & Shuffleboard Pricing
Before 6PM
Every Day – $8.oo
After 6PM
Sun-Thurs – $10.00
Fri & Sat – $14.00
All prices are prorated to the minute
Bocce Ball Pricing
Before 6PM
Every Day – $20.00
After 6PM
Sun-Thurs – $24.00
Fri & Sat – $32.00
All prices are prorated to the minute
You can follow Kings Bowl on twitter at @Kings_Orlando or facebook at facebook.com/KingsBowlOrlando for the latest happenings and specials, and check out KingsBowl.com for further info. I can’t wait to go back! Let me know if you check it out.
*Disclosure: I was invited to a media preview of Kings Bowl Orlando where we were provided with complimentary food, drinks and bowling. My opinions are my own.
SeaWorld’s Aquatica Water Park’s 5th Birthday Celebration
Aquatica Orlando celebrated its fifth birthday last weekend, which included a celebration for guests who were in attendance.
In light of the theme, $5 merchandise specials were offered all day that included clothing, Aquatica-themed glasses, and more. There was a special birthday party held in the afternoon with amazing animal ambassador meet and greets and special treats, plus a live DJ raffled off prizes for future visits with Cabanas and all-day-dining. What a great present that was from Aquatica!
Aquatica Vice President Bryan Nadeau addressed the crowd thanking them for making Aquatica a hit over the past five years; he also lead the group in the Happy Birthday song.
Rā whānau is the Maori way to say “Happy Birthday” — Rā whānau, Aquatica!
From high-speed water slides and exhilarating wave pools, to tranquil beaches and the remarkable animal habitats that are the hallmark of SeaWorld, Aquatica delights all ages and interests. This waterpark is home to some of the world’s most thrilling water rides, featuring 38 slides, rivers and lagoons and 84,000 square feet of sparkling white, sandy beaches. Aquatica’s exclusive attractions promise unlimited fun, sending guests on amazing undersea adventures and through breathtaking animal exhibits.
My family visited Aquatica for the first time last weekend and had a blast. It’s definitely a water park for the adventurous type with most all of the slides being very high speed and having at least some portion in total darkness. (I’m a scaredy cat and those weren’t my favorite, but there are a few that aren’t in the dark too.) I think the favorite for everyone in our group was Roa Rapids, which is a fast-current not-so-lazy river, where you don’t even need an inner tube to be propelled along the stream and enjoy the scenery.
We also checked out the Waterstone Grill for lunch, which had really great food, and made time to just relax and enjoy the sandy beach and catch some rays. All in all, it was a great day of fun. If you are able to do the add-on from your day at SeaWorld, or visit with the package from Discovery Cove, I’d definitely say head over for some splashy fun. For more info, head to Aquatica’s site.
Be a Good Witch AND a Bad Witch with Urban Decay’s New Palettes
There are so many movie/pop culture-make-up crossovers lately, it may be hard to keep up, but one I was instantly enamored with was Urban Decay’s The Glinda Palette and Urban Decay’s The Theodora Palette. UD is my favorite brand of eye shadows (so many sparkles!) and I tend to get a little obsessed with their new releases. This is no exception. The two sets are just gorgeous and seem to have a color for any occasion, eye color, or style. See the hues below:
From UD’s description: Inspired by the Disney film’s theme of good witch vs. bad witch (and the good witch/bad witch dichotomy in all of us), Urban Decay created two collectible palettes loaded with beautiful, never-before-seen shades. Recreate Glinda’s ethereal, spellbinding look with eight all new and exclusive eye shadows in six pans (this set includes two duo-shades that are split in half, with a different color on each side of the pan).
Fellow blogger Estelle from ThisHappyPlaceBlog.com picked up the Glinda palette and had these photos to share:
From UD’s description: Inspired by the Disney film’s theme of good witch vs. bad witch (and the good witch/bad witch dichotomy in all of us), Urban Decay created two collectible palettes loaded with beautiful, never-before-seen shades. Recreate Theodora’s captivating, edgy look with eight all new and exclusive eye shadows in six pans (this set includes two duo-shades that are split in half, with a different color on each side of the pan).
Urban Decay’s The Glinda Palette and Urban Decay’s The Theodora Palette are $49 each and available now. Now go get them before someone drops a house on you too! 😉
NEW Disney LeSportsac It’s a Small World Bags-Spring 2013 Collection
It may feel like winter will never end in some parts of the world, but Disney and LeSportsac are ready to infuse a little spring into your life with their latest designs for the Mary Blair-inspired collection. I wasn’t a huge fan of the winter designs, but they have won me over again with these whimsical colors and styles, this time paying homage to the country of Holland!
From LeSportsac’s blog: “…our carefree Dutch girls Saskia, Kalie and Brandie urge us to toss our devices and enjoy a sun-kissed afternoon on a bicycle! The Kalie Charm comes with the handkerchief-style print Well Wishes, as well as the embroidered placement tote Blooming Joy which features a Delft blue inspired needlepoint print brimming with bright pink daffodils and tulips.” Let’s see what’s in store for us:
Well Wishes print will be available in 14 styles: Rectangular Cosmetic, Travel Cosmetic , Kasey, Classic Hobo, Deluxe Everyday Bag, EveryGirl Tote, Medium Weekender, Large Weekender, Mini Basic Backpack, Basic Backpack, Small EveryGirl Tote, Deluxe Shoulder Satchel, Ryan Baby Bag, Lily Wallet.
More info from LeSportsac’s blog: “Adding to the Small World capsule is the latest installation of Mary Blair’s original artwork. See the World reworks the the world’s icons into a placement tote with beige and pastel contrasts, while our familiar geometric facade print continues with Global Journey in this color palette. Smaller styles in Global Journey include the Time To Share Double Coin Charm, while the larger styles and the See the World Tote come with the highly anticipated Multi Landmark Charm. It is sure to steal hearts all over!” I am pretty sure I need one of these styles!
Global Journey print will be available in 17 styles: Small Cleo Crossbody, Classic Hobo, Deluxe Everyday Bag, EveryGirl Tote, Medium Weekender, Large Weekender, Voyager Backpack , Carryall Tote, Basic Backpack, Small EveryGirl Tote, Deluxe Shoulder Satchel, Ryan Baby Bag, Jessi Baby Bag, Rectangular Cosmetic , Travel Cosmetic, Kasey, Lily Wallet.
“Share Your Dreams embroidery is a subtler beige and cream print, with small colorful embroidered impressions of the world’s icons sprinkled throughout and features cream tipped handles and straps. It includes the Share Your World Coin Charm on the larger styles, and the smaller styles come with the Time To Share Double Coin Charm.”
Share Your Dreams embroidery will be available in 8 styles: Classic Hobo, Deluxe Everyday Bag, EveryGirl Tote, Large Weekender, Small EveryGirl Tote, Deluxe Shoulder Satchel, Kasey, Small Cleo Crossbody.
New styles added to the Spring Disney It’s a Small World line-up include the Lily Wallet, Jessi Baby Bag, Basic Backpack, Small EveryGirl Tote, Medium Weekender, Deluxe Shoulder Satchel, and Carryall Tote.
Okay, maybe I need that one too, Love that charm too!
Which is your favorite design? I think they Spring 2013 collection will be a great success! Disney LeSportsac designs are available online and in select Disney Parks merchandise locations and the Spring collection will be out in February. Happy shopping!