Universal Orlando Resort Joins Read Across America's Celebration

Orlando Magic’s Community Ambassador and former player, Nick Anderson, was all smiles at Universal Orlando Resort while reading Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat” to local schoolchildren in celebration of the National Education Association’s Read Across America day on March 2, 2011. As part of NEA’s 16th annual reading party and Dr. Seuss’s birthday, Universal Orlando hosted two elementary classes from a local school to Seuss Landing in Universal’s Islands of Adventure for a day of Seussian storytelling and celebrations.

LYNYRD SKYNYRD TO BRING SOUTHERN STYLE ROCK THIS WEEKEND AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT’S MARDI GRAS

The Biggest Mardi Gras Party Outside of New Orleans Continues Saturday, March 5

WHAT:  This Saturday night, Lynyrd Skynyrd – one of the most legendary rock’n’roll bands in history – will take center stage at Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras celebration. The band’s southern style, sound and all-American spirit have made them one of the most widely-recognized names in rock.

Lynyrd Skynyrd has produced more than 60 albums and sold more than 30 million copies since the band first began in Jacksonville , Fla., 35 years ago. They remain a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame powerhouse with top hits including, “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Gimme Three Steps” and one of the most famous rock songs of all time, “Free Bird.”

This year’s Mardi Gras concert line-up features some of the biggest names in Rock, Country, Pop and R&B. Together, the headliners have had more than 100 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart and more than 20 Grammy nominations.

2011 MARDI GRAS TALENT LINE-UP

Mardi Gras Event Dates
Headliners (performing in the Music Plaza)

Saturday, March 5
Lynyrd Skynyrd

Saturday, March 12   
Foreigner

Friday, March 18
Neon Trees

Saturday, March 19
The Roots

Friday, March 25
OneRepublic

Saturday, March 26
Blake Shelton

Friday, April 1
Sean Kingston

Saturday, April 2
Ne-Yo

Saturday, April 9
Lifehouse

Saturday, April 16
The Beach Boys

Saturday, April 23
Thirty Seconds To Mars

At Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras, nationally renowned musical acts combine with an authentic Mardi Gras parade, dozens of colorfully costumed performers, authentic Cajun cooking, and hand-picked New Orleans bands to capture the look, feel and fun of New Orleans – all inside Universal Studios Florida. This year’s ultimate street party runs every Saturday and other select nights through April 23, and is included in regular admission to Universal Studios Florida. For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com/mardigras.

SCHEDULE: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Grady Champion (New Orleans Band)

8:00 p.m.: Mardi Gras Parade Starts

8:30 p.m.: Lynyrd Skynyrd

Samba Brazilian Steakhouse & Lounge Features Mouth-Watering Churrasco Fare, Pulsing Samba Music and Spirited Dancers Partying Carnival-Style

Universal City, CA –Samba Brazilian Steakhouse & Lounge is an authentic Brazilian churrascaria offering free nightly entertainment including colorful Samba dancers partying Carnival-style and lively Brazilian and Latino music and a dedicated Caipirinha- cocktail bar.

    Samba Brazilian Steakhouse & Lounge boasts two locations, Redondo Beach and Universal CityWalk, and offers indoor and al-fresco dining amid elegant but welcoming retro décor.  It also features dedicated Caipirinha cocktail bars serving nearly two dozen unique variations of Brazil’s national cocktail, Caipirinha, including the signature Samba, a Jalapeno-Cucumber, a Basil and Blackberry and a Caipiroska Bubble Gum.  Full bars of mixed drinks, beer and wine are also available to complement the restaurants’ traditional Rodizio feasts of skewered meats including lombinho (pork sirloin), coxinha (chicken) and picanha (sirloin steak), all served tableside.

Samba specialties, include an assortment of unique, mouth-watering dishes, serving up such palate pleasers as Lobster Mashed Potatoes, Farfoa (yucca flour, toasted with butter, bacon and salt), Portuguese Sausage, Beef Kabobs and Leg of Lamb.  Popular All You Can Eat menus include a Churrasco Feast, Gaucho Feast and Champagne Brunch (available on weekends), offering a tempting assortment of authentic Brazilian marinated meats and seafood, complete with a full salad bar.  Traditional desserts include a scrumptious Dulce de Leche, Fried Bananas and an endless Chocolate Fountain.

Nightly live Samba performers in full festive regalia entertain with Brazilian and Latin musical accompaniment.

Samba offers Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 5 – 7 pm in the patio and bar at the CityWalk location and 5 – 8 pm at the Redondo Beach location, 207 North Harbor Dr.
Samba is open daily and features lounge areas for private parties.  For more information or to make reservations, please visit www.SambaRestaurants.com.

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT PARTNERS WITH RENOWNED WEDDINGS EXPERT SUSAN SOUTHERLAND

Say “I Do” to a Perfect Wedding at Universal Orlando

Orlando, FL (February 28, 2011) – Every bride and groom wants a unique and memorable wedding day, with every detail planned to perfection. With award-winning catering, an experienced events team – and now the partnership and creativity of weddings expert Susan Southerland, Universal Orlando Resort has everything needed to create an extraordinary wedding.

Southerland is one of the world’s top destination wedding planners and the national weddings expert for Perfect Wedding Guide. She and her team of planners will work alongside Universal Orlando’s weddings event team, helping couples arrange all aspects of their wedding, from the attire, colors, guest list and budget for the big weekend to the planning and location of the honeymoon. Southerland has executed thousands of wedding ceremonies all over the world, some of which have been featured on Style Network’s “Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?” and TLC’s “A Wedding Story.”

“Susan’s success in creating unique and special memories for couples is known industry-wide, so we are thrilled to announce the partnership,” says Universal Orlando’s Director of Events Management Lisa Jacobson. “Susan’s expertise combined with the creativity and professionalism of our weddings team is a perfect fit.”

Southerland is president of Just Marry! Inc., a full service wedding planning company based in Orlando , and is also the author of an entertaining blog, “The Susan Southerland Secret” on Perfect Wedding Guide.com that features advice, ideas and photos. She has been recognized as one of only 30 wedding planners worldwide deemed an “A-List Planner” by Destination Weddings and Honeymoons.

“I am honored to be joining the Universal Orlando Weddings team,” says Southerland. “The variety of venues and services available plus the amazing culinary and events planning teams will thrill and delight couples and I’m excited to get started.”

Having a dedicated wedding planner is just one of many elements included in Universal Orlando’s extraordinary wedding packages, which feature world-class culinary and decorative options, as well as many unique wedding locations around the resort. For more information and to view wedding package details, visit UniversalOrlandoWeddings.com or call 1-888-331-9108.

The Susan Southerland Secret and Just Marry! are based in Orlando , Florida . Southerland’s companies focus on unique approaches to all weddings, from intimate to extravagant, from cultural to destination, leading the way to making a lifetime of memories. She tours the country for her planning activities and putting on consultation seminars for vendors and couples. For more information, go to www.susansoutherland.com or call (407) 839-3244. Follow us on Facebook.com (Susan Southerland Secret), Twitter.com/Susansoutherland, on YouTube.com at SSoutherlandSecret and blogging on PefectWeddingGuide.com.

Cheetah Hunt Trains Arrive at Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens is excited to announce that the Cheetah Hunt trains have arrived!

The five trains were delivered to Busch Gardens late last week.

Each train is made up of four four-passenger cars, for a total of 16 guests per train. The front car features a custom nose-piece that resembles a cheetah’s face. Further theming and graphics will be applied to the cars to complete the cheetah look, and the finished cars will be unveiled at the end of March.

For the latest information on Cheetah Hunt and Cheetah Run, visit CheetahHunt.com online or follow Busch Gardens on Facebook and Twitter.

A GALAXY FAR FAR AWAY IS GETTING A LOT CLOSER! MORE LEGO® MODELS ARRIVE FOR STAR WARS™ MINILAND! AT LEGOLAND California!

Stormtroopers, a snowtrooper and a biker scout were all on deck today at LEGOLAND® California helping unload more than one thousand LEGO®  models for the new STAR WARS™ Miniland opening March 31 at the family theme park in Carlsbad.

Master Model Builders unloaded crates containing several models including a crystal tower from Christophsis in The Clone Wars, the clone turbo tank from Revenge of the Sith, and the Naboo hangar. The models are part of 2,000 that are arriving to be installed in STAR WARS Miniland.

LEGOLAND California will be the first of three LEGOLAND Parks to launch a new STAR WARS Miniland area. The area includes seven scenes – six of the most famous scenes from the six live-action STAR WARS movies, as well as one from the animated series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS™  all made out of 1.5 million LEGO bricks and built in 1:20 scale.

Fairytale Town Goes Green 2011

Teaching Youth to Save Our Planet

Saturday, March 26, 2011
11 AM to 3 PM

Be a Super Hero and help save our planet! Fairytale Town invites children and families to enjoy an afternoon filled with educational displays focusing on the environment, conservation, and tips on how to go green. It's the return of our popular Fairytale Town Goes Green event on Saturday, March 26 from 11AM to 3PM. Most activities for the Fairytale Town Goes Green event are included in paid park admission.Tickets for Puppet Art Theater performances are a small additional fee, with showtimes at 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM & 2:30 PM.

Special hands-on Arts & Crafts activities will focus on creating art from recycled material, including making kites from recycled newspaper and art collages from recycled magazines.  Families may visit with several Sacramento area organizations and learn about different ways they can "go green", help fight pollution, and create a healthier environment. Special guests include City of Sacramento Department of Utilities, Worm Fancy with composting displays and supplies, and Solar Cookers International.  This event is sponsored by Hall's Window Center.
 
Our old friends from Puppet Art Theater will also be onsite performing a conservation-friendly adaptation of  The Three Little Pigs in the Children's Theater.

Fairytale Town is open 9 AM to 4 PM daily (weather permitting). For more information, please call 916-808-7462 or visit our website at www.fairytaletown.org.   

What: Fairytale Town Goes Green
When: Saturday, March 26, 2011 / 11AM to 3PM
            Park Hours:  9 AM - 4 PM Daily (weather permitting)
Where: Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822
Cost:   Admission Fees: $4 weekdays; $4.50 weekends & holidays.
            Puppet show tickets are $1 members/$2 nonmembers.          
            Children 1 and under are admitted free
Contact Phone: 916-808-7462
Website: www.fairytaletown.org