Tag Archives: Orlando

Orlando water parks

Beat the Heat and Cool Off at These 5 Orlando Water Parks

Orlando water parks

Central Florida is warm almost year round so it’s the perfect place to plan a water park visit! Whether you call central Florida home or are vacationing at one of their world class theme parks, you can always cool off at these Orlando water parks.

Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando Resort

Volcano Bay is Universal Orlando Resort’s water theme park. Volcano Bay is probably unlike any water park that you’ve ever visited. At the center of the park you’ll find Krakatau volcano, which also houses the Krakatau Aqua Coaster. You can enjoy body slides, drop slides, tube slides, raft rides, lazy river, and so much more. Your kids will love the Puka Uli Lagoon, featuring playful, interactive elements like bongo drums and spraying jets of water.

Volcano Bay uses TapuTapu wearable technology for guests to take advantage of virtual lines, make cashless payment,s, and more. When you arrive at Volcano Bay™, you’ll receive a complimentary TapuTapu™ to wear on your wrist throughout your visit. It’s your key to having an amazing day—you’ll use it to ride most of the attractions, activate interactive surprises, open rental lockers, make cash-free payments and more.

You can visit Volcano Bay or add it to your Universal Orlando Resort vacation with a three park ticket. Plus, now through August 13, 2020, you will receive two days FREE at Universal with the purchase of a two day ticket. These tickets must be used by December 18, 2020 and do not have any blockout dates.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park at Walt Disney World Resort

Typhoon Lagoon is home to the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, North America’s largest wave pool. The kids will love Bay Slides, twin body slides designed just for them and explore the Ketchakiddee Creek water play area. Thrill seekers can plunge down one of 3 Storm Slides; brave Mayday Falls, the highest and longest waterslide at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon; shoot the chute on Crush ‘n’ Gusher, the coaster-like raft ride; or race down Mount Mayday at a 60-degree angle on Humunga Kowabunga body slides. The whole family can float around the park in the Castaway Creek lazy river; enjoy a thrilling, whitewater voyage aboard a 4-person raft on Miss Adventure Falls; or enjoy a swift, scenic ride down Mount Mayday on Keelhaul Falls or the winding course of Gangplank Falls.

You can enjoy surfing at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park! They offer two options for surfing in the park. You can ride the wild surf in a private surf session (for up to 25 guests) or catch the stoke with a lesson for $199 per person, right in their safe, state-of-the-art wave pool.

You can purchase a one day water park ticket or add the Water Park and Sports option or Park Hopper Plus option to theme park tickets, if you are visiting the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

Beach Towels from ShopDisney

Blizzard Beach at Walt Disney World Resort

Can you imagine a ski resort in central Florida? Blizzard Beach will make you feel like you’re ready to hit the slopes! From a chairlift to the ski patrol training camp and summit plummet, you’ll find the ski and “snow” theme all around.

You can float around the park in the 3,000 foot Cross Country Creek lazy river. Or, get the best view of the park from atop Summit Plummet before you plunge 12 stories, almost straight down. The kids will love Ski Patrol Training Camp play area, Snow Stormers water slides, and Tike’s Peak water play area. The whole family can tackle a whitewater journey down the “mountain” on Teamboat Springs. You can always splash around Melt-Away Bay, a one acre wave pool. There’s also the Downhill Double Dipper high-speed slides, 90-foot Slush Gusher water slide, Runoff Rapids tube slides, and Toboggan Racers, an 8-lane downhill slalom-style waterslide.

You can purchase a one day water park ticket or add the Water Park and Sports option or Park Hopper Plus option to theme park tickets, if you are visiting the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

Orlando water parks

Island H2O Live! Water Park at Margaritaville Resort Orlando

Located at Margaritaville Resort Orlando, Island H2O Live! Water Park is Orlando’s newest water park. There is something for everyone to enjoy here. Island H2O Live! has racing slides, tube slides, body slides, water playground for kids, wave pool, adults only pool, lazy river, and so much more.

Island H2O Live! Water Park offers an interactive experience with the H2O Live app. You will find games and experiences that let you earn points to use toward food and merchandise discounts, plus the ability to control a streaming playlist to play on select slides and attractions! Don’t forget to stop by the selfie shacks scattered throughout the park to capture some of your memories.

Tip: You can download the H2O Live app from your mobile App Store before your visit. This free app will help you plan your day, display wait times, find family and friends, and earn points.

Aquatica Orlando at Sea World Orlando

Aquatica Orlando was recently rated the Nation’s Best Outdoor Waterpark by USA Today. You can relax and unwind, race down a water slide, and let the kids splash and play at Aquatica Orlando. They offer a lazy river, wave pools, raft rides, tube slides, water play areas for kids, the the steepest multi-drop slide in Orlando, and more.

Aquatica Orlando is the first water park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center through The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. Aquatica Orlando Ambassadors have received specialized training to ensure they have the requisite knowledge, skills, temperament, and expertise to cater to all children, including those with special needs.

You can just visit Aquatica or add time at Sea World Orlando and/or Discovery Cove Orlando with a multi-park ticket. You can even receive unlimited admission to SeaWorld and Aquatica with select Discovery Cove admissions.

What are your favorite Orlando water parks?

Where to Watch the 2014 World Cup in Orlando

4458518904_4cfc73f3f3_z

Soccer seems to have one of the largest fan bases in the world, especially when it comes to the World Cup. If you are planning to be on vacation in Orlando during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, there’s no need to worry that you’ll have to miss any games. There are plenty of locations throughout Orlando where you can watch the 2014 World Cup in Orlando. The World Cup begins on June 12 and will be televised through the championship game on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and Univision.

You can watch the 2014 World Cup in Orlando and even enjoy special celebrations at the following locations:

Restaurants 

  • NBA City will show the World Cup games throughout their restaurant with special packages available for groups.
  • Hard Rock Café at Universal CityWalk is the world’s largest and most elaborate Hard Rock Café. You can enjoy the World Cup games inside their Art Bar.
  • Ocean Prime at the Rialto will show the World Cup games during their operating hours in the Blu Lounge.
  • Copper Canyon Grill at Pointe Orlando will show the FIFA games with upgraded HD TVs in their main bar area.
  • NASCAR Sports Grille at Universal CityWalk’s will show the World Cup games on their 37 Plasma Screen TVs and 37-foot media wall.
  • Dewey’s Indoor Golf and Sports Grill will be showing World Cup events in their 12,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility that features 10 indoor golf simulators, over 70 HDTVs, a 25-foot (7.6-meter) theater screen and a full service bar and restaurant.

Additional restaurants showing 2014 World Cup games include: Pat O’Brien’s, Bob Marley A Tribute to Freedom, Rainforest Cafe in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, ESPN Club and Big River Grille & Brewing Works at Disney’s BoardWalk.

Latin/Brazilian Locations

  • Bongos Cuban Café will offer World Cup games “in a setting with the tropical sizzle of South Beach glamour as they serve traditional dishes along with daily specials like Cuban-style peppered steak.”
  • Nelore Churrascaria, an authentic Brazilian steakhouse will feature 2-for-1 drink specials while the games are playing.

British Pubs

  • The Pub at Pointe Orlando will air all the World Cup games in a traditional European atmosphere with drink specials.
  • Orlando George & Dragon offers a beer garden; authentic British food; a pool table; quiz and game machines; live music; karaoke every night and all World Cup games on a giant screen television.
  • Cricketers Arms Pub, will feature all FIFA activities, an authentic English menu and a wide assortment of beer, lagers and ales.
  • Fox and Hounds Pub, a quaint and friendly pub will air all soccer games on their big screen TV.

Hotels 

  • Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa invites guests to enjoy the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ on big screen televisions at one80 Sportgrill and Bar.
  • Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista’s Comfort Zone lounge opens early for guest viewing of FIFA games, while food and beverage service beings after 1 p.m. while the games are showing.
  • Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal will feature the FIFA games in their restaurant, Elements Bar & Grille, and have a special international menu throughout the World Cup with food and beverage specials from the various countries competing in the games.
  • Flamingo Waterpark Hotel & Resort will show the World Cup on big screen TVs surrounded by themed decorations and food from each of the countries playing. The resort will also have merchandising such as soccer balls and T-shirts, among many other items for sale.
  • International Palms Resort is placing a large projector by the pool area to show the World Cup games as well as offering themed drinks.

Shopping Venues

Some of Orlando’s top shopping venues will even give visitors access to the 2014 World Cup Games.

  • At The Mall at Millenia, several stores will offer unique FIFA sporting merchandise and restaurants in the complex such as The Capital Grille and BRIO Tuscan Grille will feature the FIFA Games.
  • The Florida Mall will air the FIFA World Cup games in the venue’s common area and visitors will be able to watch game updates on digital boards. The Florida Mall will also be partnering with select retailers for additional activities related to the World Cup.
  • Orlando Premium Outlets will broadcast the World Cup on screens located near the Reebok store at the Vineland property and Tommy Hilfiger at International Drive center.

Attractions

  • Walt Disney World Resort is an official FIFA viewing site, so fans staying at any Disney Resort Hotel will not miss our on any of the World Cup Brazil 2014™ games during their vacation. All Disney Resort Hotels offer ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC channels to keep guests informed of everything that happens in the world cup from the comfort of their room.
  • Wet n’ Wild Orlando, a family-friendly water park, will broadcast the World Cup games in the Wild Tiki Lounge.

Where will you be watching the 2014 World Cup in Orlando?

Thank you to Visit Orlando for sharing the list of all of the locations that will be playing the 2014 World Cup in Orlando!

Siera is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida. She would love to help you plan your next vacation at no cost to you. Request your free, no obligation quote on the right side of the page or email siera@destinationsinflorida.com for more information. 

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER – DIAGON ALLEY Is Coming to Unviersal Orlando in 2014

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES: THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER – DIAGON ALLEY IS COMING TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT

Building on the global phenomenon that is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment announced an expansion of historic proportion with the entirely new themed environment, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley is scheduled to open in 2014. It will be the world’s first centrally themed, multi-park experience. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will expand The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across both Universal Orlando theme parks and allow Universal’s creative team to bring an unparalleled vision to this unique project. The new area will bring to life some of the experiences and places found in and around London in the Harry Potter books and films. This area will offer brand-new adventures for fans and theme park guests from around the world.

Diagon Alley and ‘London’ will be located within the Universal Studios Florida theme park, which is adjacent to Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, where guests now experience Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. The new area within Universal Studios will be just as expansive, immersive and authentic as the existing themed environment.

And – just like in the books and films – you will be able to travel between ‘London’ and Hogsmeade aboard the Hogwarts Express. Construction on the new area is already underway. When it is complete, there will be shops, a restaurant and an innovative, marquee attraction based on Gringotts bank – all directly inspired by the fiction and films.

More details on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be released over time. To bring Diagon Alley and ‘London’ to life, Universal’s creative team is working closely with Warner Bros. and the production design team from the Harry Potter films – just as it did for Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.

“I’m so pleased that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has proved so popular to date, and I’m sure that the attention to detail in creating the new Diagon Alley area will make this an even better experience,” said J.K. Rowling.

“We are continuing the journey and adding an entirely new level of adventure,” said Tom Williams, Chairman of Universal Parks & Resorts. “And we are bringing the same drive, commitment, enthusiasm and innovation to this project as we did to the first.”

“We are thrilled to offer the legions of fans the opportunity to embark on this new journey and experience Diagon Alley as it was brought to life in the books and films,” said Brad Globe, president of Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

“Our vision is to create two amazing theme park experiences that combine into one, complete, magical journey,” said Alice Norsworthy, executive vice president, marketing and sales for Universal Orlando Resort.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade opened at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in June 2010. This area is a fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment, which brings to life the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and the blockbuster feature films from Warner Bros. Studios. Since the Wizarding World of Harry Potter made its debut, it has become a global phenomenon and entertained millions of people from around the world. Visitors to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter are swept into the adventures of Harry Potter. They can tour Hogwarts castle, shop in Hogsmeade and dine at the Three Broomsticks. At the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you can soar above Hogwarts with Harry, be chosen by a wand at Ollivanders, sample Butterbeer, and much more.

Would you like to plan a Universal Orlando vacation to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter first-hand? Email spreadingmagic@gmail.com for more information!