Start a New Family Tradition This Season at Universal Orlando with Grinchmas, Macy’s Holiday Parade, The Holiday Village and Nightly Holiday Music
Enjoy the Timeless Classics by Holiday Music Masters Mannheim Steamroller as they Return for
Six Concerts on December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18
ORLANDO, Fla. (November 1, 2011) – There’s no better place to enjoy the Holidays with your family this year than at Universal Orlando Resort. It’s the only place you can come face-to-face with The Grinch and the Whos from Whoville, watch a cheerful holiday parade filled with big, colorful Macy’s balloons and sing along to the classic sounds of the season as you stroll through a holiday-trimmed theme park with your loved ones.
The Holidays fanfare runs from December 3, 2011 through January 1, 2012, offering guests incredible entertainment themed for the season at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
At Islands of Adventure, adults and children alike will be entertained when the popular Dr. Seuss book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is brought to life in Grinchmas. Guests can see the heartwarming live stage show, “Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular,” starring The Grinch and the Whos from Whoville with an original recorded musical score by Mannheim Steamroller. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet The Grinch and the Whos, and on select dates, purchase a spot at a special character breakfast with the mean, green one himself.
At Universal Studios, the Macy’s Holiday Parade will celebrate its 10th Anniversary of partnership with Universal Orlando by filling the streets every evening with some of the same iconic elements seen winding through New York City each year at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The beloved event features colorful holiday characters, fantasy-filled floats – including one specially-designed to commemorate the 10-year milestone – a tree-lighting ceremony by Santa Claus and dozens of larger-than-life balloons. The Macy’s Holiday Parade also welcomes select park guests to participate in the procession as real balloon-handlers guiding the helium giants, a truly unique and exclusive experience to Universal Orlando.
Returning this year with more concerts than ever before is Mannheim Steamroller – the masters of Christmas music with more than 40 million albums sold worldwide. The acclaimed musical group will take to the Music Plaza stage in Universal Studios six times this year to play their memorable holiday hits for guests, performing on December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18.
Also at Universal Studios, guests can enjoy special holiday-themed versions of their favorite shows, and nightly a capella holiday music in the nearby Holiday Village , which is filled with hand-blown glass ornaments, caramel apples, hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts and a cupcake decorating location.
The celebration continues at Universal Orlando’s three on-site hotels – Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort – all of which will glisten with holiday decorations. Hotel guests will be immersed in the spirit of the season with tree-lighting ceremonies, special musical performances, holiday pool-side "dive-in" movie presentations and holiday buffets and dining events. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel kicks off the season on Friday, November 25 with 'Holiday Harbor Nights', a wine tasting, food and jazz celebration on the piazza, along with a tree lighting ceremony. Hard Rock Hotel welcomes Santa to The Kitchen restaurant on Fridays in December and Loews Royal Pacific Resort rings in the new year with a family-friendly dinner and celebration.
All holiday entertainment – including the Mannheim Steamroller concerts – is included as part of any annual pass, two-park or multi-day admission to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. There’s never been a better time to start a new family tradition at Universal Orlando’s Holidays event, as guests can take advantage of these special Florida resident offers:
‘Tis the Season for Florida Resident Holiday Offers
Florida Resident 2-Park Annual Pass Offer
• Purchase a 2-park annual pass and get 2 months FREE with a UPC code from any Coca-Cola, Diet Coke or Sprite can or specially-marked cups from Firehouse Subs
Starting at $164.99 plus tax per person
*Must be purchased by January 1, 2012
Also available on Flexible Payment option
Florida Resident On-site Holiday Getaway Offer
• 2 night stay at a Universal Orlando on-site hotel
• Florida Resident 2 day park-to-park ticket to both theme parks
• Complimentary Universal Express access to skip most regular attraction lines – a FREE benefit worth up to $87 per person, per day
• PLUS early park admission to Islands of Adventure and MORE
Starting at $139 per adult, per night, tax inclusive
For more information on Universal Orlando’s holiday celebration and Florida resident offers, guests can visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/holidays.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
BUSCH GARDENS BRINGS BACK THE BEST VALUE FOR UNLIMITED THRILLS AND BIG NAMES IN 2012
Guests Can Pay For a Day, Come Back All Year For Exciting Acts and Non-Stop Excitement with a 2012 Fun Card
TAMPA, Fla. (November 1, 2011) – Some of the biggest names in country, Latin and classic rock are coming to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2012. It’s our biggest lineup yet, including music’s most memorable acts at Real Music, rock legends at Bands, Brew & BBQ, and Viva La Música’s award-winning salsa and meringue. PLUS you won’t want to miss the debut of Busch Gardens’ all-new ice show and your chance to go behind-the-scenes with our animal care experts.
Can’t decide which event to attend? With a 2012 Fun Card, you can “pay for a day, play all year” and never miss a thing! It’s the best value for again-and-again access to all of the amazing animal encounters, world-class thrill rides, exciting entertainment and family adventure Busch Gardens has to offer. AND, if you buy your 2012 Fun Card now, you can celebrate the holidays at Busch Gardens, New Year’s Eve and the remainder of 2011 for no additional cost.
NEW THIS WINTER: In February, Busch Gardens will debut its biggest ice show ever. Iceploration combines world-class skaters, larger-than-life puppets, amazing costumes, original music and even animal stars to tell the story of tech-savvy pre-teen Austin and his grandfather – and old-world adventurer – who encourages him to put down the smartphone and “explore the world.”
ALSO NEW IN 2012: Busch Gardens will welcome guests to observe and even take part in the animal care experience when the Animal Care Center opens this winter. From nutrition to treatments and check-ups to surgeries, much of Busch Gardens’ veterinary care will be conducted in guest view in this new state-of-the-art facility.
SPECIAL EVENT LINEUP
Jack Hanna: January 13
Join “Jungle Jack” Hanna for a day of wild animal shows, autograph signings and special meet and greets when he visits Busch Gardens on Jan. 13. The internationally-known animal expert will share animal facts and his travel tales during animal shows in the Stanleyville Theater. He will also join families for a memorable Serengeti Night Safari and make special appearances at a family sleepover that evening.
Real Music Concert Series: January 18 – March 24
The Real Music Concert Series presents notable names from music’s most memorable eras every Wednesday through Saturday at the Stanleyville Theater. From swingin’ big bands to sock-hop era idols, the lineup features something for everyone:
January 18-21 The Terry Myers Orchestra with The Swing Sisters
January 25-28 The Glenn Miller Orchestra with The Diamonds
February 1-4 Tony Orlando
February 8-11 Frankie Avalon
February 15-18 The Osmond Brothers
February 22-25 Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
February 29 – March 3 The Ventures
March 7-10 Rita Coolidge
March 14-17 The Grass Roots
March 21-24 Marylin McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.
Bands, Brew & BBQ: Saturdays and Sundays, February 11 – March 4
Bands, Brew & BBQ offers four weekends of smokin’ hot fun – now on Saturdays AND Sundays! New this year, you have two days to sample dozens of craft and international beers and fire up your taste buds with food from your favorite local restaurants as well our own famous, blazing barbecue. And every Sunday, enjoy sizzling live performances from award-winning country and classic rock artists.
February 12 Lynyrd Skynyrd
February 19 Brett Michaels
February 26 38 Special
March 4 REO Speedwagon
Viva La Música: Sundays, April 15 – May 6
Join the fiesta every weekend as award-winning acts from perform salsa, meringue and more on the Gwazi Park stage. And don’t forget the popular, regional Latin cuisine and authentic arts and crafts throughout the festival area. Stay tuned as Busch Gardens reveals the artist and more details this spring!
Summer Nights: June 9 – August 12
The award-winning Kinetix will return to Summer Nights with energizing shows full of live musicians, singers, dancers and artists from around the world. Their thrilling performance – along with modern music and fire effects – will pump up the crowd every night in Gwazi Park. Adding to the amazing coasters-after-dark lineup, guests will launch into the night on Busch Gardens’ newest roller coaster, Cheetah Hunt, and enjoy more fireworks than ever before, including a special July 4th celebration in Gwazi Park!
The 2012 Busch Gardens Fun Card is valid from the date of purchase through Dec. 31, 2012 and is available at the Busch Gardens’ front gate, online at BuschGardens.com or by calling (888) 800-5447. Prices are $79.99 for adults and $71.99 for children ages 3 to 9. Event dates, times and artists are subject to change. Performances are included with any daily admission or annual pass. Visit BuschGardens.com for more information.
TAMPA, Fla. (November 1, 2011) – Some of the biggest names in country, Latin and classic rock are coming to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2012. It’s our biggest lineup yet, including music’s most memorable acts at Real Music, rock legends at Bands, Brew & BBQ, and Viva La Música’s award-winning salsa and meringue. PLUS you won’t want to miss the debut of Busch Gardens’ all-new ice show and your chance to go behind-the-scenes with our animal care experts.
Can’t decide which event to attend? With a 2012 Fun Card, you can “pay for a day, play all year” and never miss a thing! It’s the best value for again-and-again access to all of the amazing animal encounters, world-class thrill rides, exciting entertainment and family adventure Busch Gardens has to offer. AND, if you buy your 2012 Fun Card now, you can celebrate the holidays at Busch Gardens, New Year’s Eve and the remainder of 2011 for no additional cost.
NEW THIS WINTER: In February, Busch Gardens will debut its biggest ice show ever. Iceploration combines world-class skaters, larger-than-life puppets, amazing costumes, original music and even animal stars to tell the story of tech-savvy pre-teen Austin and his grandfather – and old-world adventurer – who encourages him to put down the smartphone and “explore the world.”
ALSO NEW IN 2012: Busch Gardens will welcome guests to observe and even take part in the animal care experience when the Animal Care Center opens this winter. From nutrition to treatments and check-ups to surgeries, much of Busch Gardens’ veterinary care will be conducted in guest view in this new state-of-the-art facility.
SPECIAL EVENT LINEUP
Jack Hanna: January 13
Join “Jungle Jack” Hanna for a day of wild animal shows, autograph signings and special meet and greets when he visits Busch Gardens on Jan. 13. The internationally-known animal expert will share animal facts and his travel tales during animal shows in the Stanleyville Theater. He will also join families for a memorable Serengeti Night Safari and make special appearances at a family sleepover that evening.
Real Music Concert Series: January 18 – March 24
The Real Music Concert Series presents notable names from music’s most memorable eras every Wednesday through Saturday at the Stanleyville Theater. From swingin’ big bands to sock-hop era idols, the lineup features something for everyone:
January 18-21 The Terry Myers Orchestra with The Swing Sisters
January 25-28 The Glenn Miller Orchestra with The Diamonds
February 1-4 Tony Orlando
February 8-11 Frankie Avalon
February 15-18 The Osmond Brothers
February 22-25 Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
February 29 – March 3 The Ventures
March 7-10 Rita Coolidge
March 14-17 The Grass Roots
March 21-24 Marylin McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.
Bands, Brew & BBQ: Saturdays and Sundays, February 11 – March 4
Bands, Brew & BBQ offers four weekends of smokin’ hot fun – now on Saturdays AND Sundays! New this year, you have two days to sample dozens of craft and international beers and fire up your taste buds with food from your favorite local restaurants as well our own famous, blazing barbecue. And every Sunday, enjoy sizzling live performances from award-winning country and classic rock artists.
February 12 Lynyrd Skynyrd
February 19 Brett Michaels
February 26 38 Special
March 4 REO Speedwagon
Viva La Música: Sundays, April 15 – May 6
Join the fiesta every weekend as award-winning acts from perform salsa, meringue and more on the Gwazi Park stage. And don’t forget the popular, regional Latin cuisine and authentic arts and crafts throughout the festival area. Stay tuned as Busch Gardens reveals the artist and more details this spring!
Summer Nights: June 9 – August 12
The award-winning Kinetix will return to Summer Nights with energizing shows full of live musicians, singers, dancers and artists from around the world. Their thrilling performance – along with modern music and fire effects – will pump up the crowd every night in Gwazi Park. Adding to the amazing coasters-after-dark lineup, guests will launch into the night on Busch Gardens’ newest roller coaster, Cheetah Hunt, and enjoy more fireworks than ever before, including a special July 4th celebration in Gwazi Park!
The 2012 Busch Gardens Fun Card is valid from the date of purchase through Dec. 31, 2012 and is available at the Busch Gardens’ front gate, online at BuschGardens.com or by calling (888) 800-5447. Prices are $79.99 for adults and $71.99 for children ages 3 to 9. Event dates, times and artists are subject to change. Performances are included with any daily admission or annual pass. Visit BuschGardens.com for more information.
Tony Hawk Puts Down His Board to Flip a Switch Lighting the World's Largest LEGO® Christmas Tree at LEGOLAND® California!
WHAT: LEGOLAND® California is proud to announce local skateboarding legend Tony Hawk as this year’s special guest to light the world’s largest LEGO® Christmas tree at the family theme park’s ninth annual Tree Lighting Ceremony honoring the Tony Hawk Foundation.Hawk, father of four and life-long Ambassador Pass Member to LEGOLAND, launched the Tony Hawk Foundation in 2002 with the goal to increase the number of safe, legal skate parks for youth in low-income communities across the U.S. To date, the Tony Hawk Foundation has helped fund 493 public skateboard parks in these communities, which now service 3.5-million youth annually.
In honor of Hawk’s efforts to help youth nationwide, Master Model Builders at LEGOLAND California are adding new ornaments to the LEGO tree this year: 50 blue, red and yellow skateboards, each made of more than 250 LEGO bricks, will hang from the LEGOLAND California tree.
After the 30-foot-tall LEGO tree is lit, fireworks light up the sky and snow showers Park guests from above kicking off LEGOLAND California’s month-long Holiday Snow Days presented by Western Dental. During Holiday Snow Days, Fun Town will be transformed into a magical, winter wonderland where the weather forecast calls for real snow every day and guests can build snowmen using LEGO carrots and other fun LEGO elements, throw snowballs at LEGO themed targets and play with large, soft LEGO bricks in the snow. Holiday Snow Days runs Nov. 19 – Jan. 2.
More than 245,000 forest green DUPLO® bricks click together to create this one-of-a-kind holiday tree at LEGOLAND California. Adorned with nearly 400 LEGO ornaments including colorful bulbs and 1,000 lights, this LEGO brick tree towers over Fun Town in the 128-acre family theme park in Carlsbad.
The Tony Hawk Foundation seeks to foster lasting improvements in society, with an emphasis on supporting and empowering youth. Through special events, grants, and technical assistance, the Foundation supports recreational programs with a focus on the creation of public skateboard parks in low-income communities. The Foundation favors programs that clearly demonstrate that funds received will produce tangible, ongoing, positive results.
SeaWorld Sets First Section of Manta Track!
WHAT: Today marks a major milestone in the construction of Manta: the first section of track was set into place! A total of 98 sections will be placed in the coming months, with most of the sections installed by the end of the year. Manta, SeaWorld’s new double launch coaster shaped like a giant manta ray, will open to guests in spring 2012.
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 31, 2011
WHERE: SeaWorld San Diego
DETAILS: The 98 Manta track sections will be set upon 100 columns, the tallest being more than 26 feet. The longest section of track is 36 feet and the heaviest weighs 7,700 pounds. The ride, which will last about two minutes, will include more than a half of a mile of track.
Swooping over sea and sky, Manta will not only inspire riders with amazing underwater animal habitats, but take them on an exhilarating ride on a coaster shaped like a giant manta ray.
Gliding, flying and diving through more than a dozen twists and turns, riders will feel as if they are a ray, taking flight from sky to sea — so close at times that the Manta’s wings skim the waves. Riders and non-riders alike will enjoy the graceful beauty of more than 60 California bat rays, which will be seen through a glass window and can be touched in a shallow lagoon area. The exhibit will also feature diamond rays, guitar fish and more than 1,000 fish native to the California coast.
Manta will be located just north of Rocky Point Preserve. SeaWorld is working with German ride design company MACK, which also engineered the marine-life park’s popular ride, Journey To Atlantis. Guests at SeaWorld’s sister park in Orlando have been enjoying a similar version of Manta since it opened there in 2009.
Vampire Diaries Actor Takes the Ultimate Gamble at Howl-O-Scream
TAMPA, Fla. (October 28, 2011) – Actor Michael Roark, who was featured in the recurring role of Frank on TV’s The Vampire Diaries, faces a sin-city clan of bloodsuckers in the new Ultimate Gamble: Vampire Casino haunted house at Howl-O-Scream.
The actor, who also a graduated law school at the University of Florida, visited Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream on Thursday night with friends.
He is also known for his recent role as Donovan Peck in Dolphin Tale and his upcoming role as Ryan in Magic Mike that was partially filmed in Tampa.
Photos by Matt Marriott/Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
The actor, who also a graduated law school at the University of Florida, visited Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream on Thursday night with friends.
He is also known for his recent role as Donovan Peck in Dolphin Tale and his upcoming role as Ryan in Magic Mike that was partially filmed in Tampa.
Photos by Matt Marriott/Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Infamous Cheetah/Puppy Duo Explore Their First Halloween Pumpkins
TAMPA, Fla. (October 27, 2011) – Actually, cheetahs are strict carnivores, but the residents of Busch Gardens’ Cheetah Run were curious to explore the new smells and textures that three oversized pumpkins provided.
Busch Gardens’ zookeepers introduced the pumpkins to the cheetah habitat on Tuesday for some special Halloween-themed enrichment for Kasi and Mtani, and Cheetah Run’s adolescent female cheetahs.
Enrichment can take many forms and is usually something different, unusual and challenging that stimulates the animals. Food and toys are used daily by zookeepers at Busch Gardens to keep the animals engaged and stimulated, both mentally and physically.
Busch Gardens’ zookeepers introduced the pumpkins to the cheetah habitat on Tuesday for some special Halloween-themed enrichment for Kasi and Mtani, and Cheetah Run’s adolescent female cheetahs.
Enrichment can take many forms and is usually something different, unusual and challenging that stimulates the animals. Food and toys are used daily by zookeepers at Busch Gardens to keep the animals engaged and stimulated, both mentally and physically.
Celebrate the Season with Candy Cane Treats for San Diego Zoo Creatures
People who donate $250 for animal enrichment will be recognized on Candy Cane Lane during
San Diego Zoo's Jungle Bells holiday celebration
People who love animals, or just love the San Diego Zoo, can treat the roaring, squealing, snorting wild things to some holiday cheer this year --- and be recognized with a 5-foot-tall candy cane for a $250 donation. All money raised in this holiday-themed fund-raiser goes toward animal enrichment toys and treats for the Zoo's critters. The wooden, brightly painted candy canes will be along "Candy Cane Lane," a path that leads to a light show at the Zoo's Treehouse Plaza.
Donors to this fund-raiser will be recognized with an engraved plaque on the front of the candy cane. While they can't lick the peppermint sweetness from these elephant-sized candy canes, donors can certainly share the holiday spirit. A limited number of these candy canes will be available for purchase.
People interested in donating can go to the Zoo's Wish List (www.sandiegozoo.org/wishlist)
Now in its third year, the Zoo's holiday celebration, Jungle Bells, runs December 9, 2011, through Jan.1, 2012. This year's celebration will feature extended evening hours, acrobat elves, violin sing-a-longs, a trolley ride, a nightly tree-lighting ceremony, bell ringers, lots of chances to meet our wintery animals up close, and much, much more.
San Diego Zoo's Jungle Bells holiday celebration
People who love animals, or just love the San Diego Zoo, can treat the roaring, squealing, snorting wild things to some holiday cheer this year --- and be recognized with a 5-foot-tall candy cane for a $250 donation. All money raised in this holiday-themed fund-raiser goes toward animal enrichment toys and treats for the Zoo's critters. The wooden, brightly painted candy canes will be along "Candy Cane Lane," a path that leads to a light show at the Zoo's Treehouse Plaza.
Donors to this fund-raiser will be recognized with an engraved plaque on the front of the candy cane. While they can't lick the peppermint sweetness from these elephant-sized candy canes, donors can certainly share the holiday spirit. A limited number of these candy canes will be available for purchase.
People interested in donating can go to the Zoo's Wish List (www.sandiegozoo.org/wishlist)
Now in its third year, the Zoo's holiday celebration, Jungle Bells, runs December 9, 2011, through Jan.1, 2012. This year's celebration will feature extended evening hours, acrobat elves, violin sing-a-longs, a trolley ride, a nightly tree-lighting ceremony, bell ringers, lots of chances to meet our wintery animals up close, and much, much more.
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