Aquatica by SeaWorld, Orlando’s newest water park, has announced a change in operating hours.  From Aug. 18 to Sept. 1, 2008, the park’s closing time will be moved up from 10 pm to 9 pm.

In addition, the park will open for all individuals beginning at 9 am.

Elmo, Cookie Monster and the rest of the Sesame Street® crew is coming to Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  The theme park recently announced plans to expand its children’s offerings with an all new Sesame Street area slated to open within the England section of the park in 2009.

The Sesame Street area will include a variety of new kid-sized attractions including a junior roller coaster, log flume, wet and dry play areas, character dining and more.  In addition, kids of all ages will enjoy a new 4-D movie titled, Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination!  In this special movie encounter, you’ll feel real raindrops and see your favorite Sesame Street characters appear to leap off the screen!

It’s all coming to Busch Gardens in 2009!

When it comes to packing for your Orlando getaway, a little advance planning can add up to big savings.

A last-minute purchase or rental of certain items out of necessity can add up quickly.  If you are flying and can’t bring certain items in your carry-on luggage, you might consider making a list of items to pick up as soon as you reach Orlando.

No matter what time of year, be sure to have plenty of sunscreen and water bottles at your disposal.  It’s much cheaper to purchase a case of water and sunscreen in advance than purchasing those items inside a theme park or attraction.  And most parks will allow you to bring in water if the bottles are unopened.

Other items to pack or purchase in advance include rain ponchos, band aids, snacks and disposable cameras.  And if you have younger children, an umbrella stroller can come in handy.  Although many children will resist at first, after a long day of walking, they may soon be begging to be pushed along.

At the Portofino Bay Hotel, you might feel as if you’ve just stepped directly into one of the beloved stories of Dr. Seuss!

The Cat in the Hat^TM, Horton Hears a Who^TM, The Grinch^TM and The Sneetches^TM smile back at you as these Dr. Seuss stories come to life in three dimensions at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando®. The new Dr. Seuss Kids’ Suites are an immersive, larger-than-life experience that integrates the adventures of Seuss Landing^TM at Universal’s Islands of Adventure® theme park right into the hotel.

The two-room suites offer plenty of space for the whole family at 650 sq. ft.: a king bedroom for the adults and two twin-sized beds in the children’s portion of the suite. Plus, parents appreciate the added feature that only allows access from the children’s room into the adult’s room, not into the hallway.

Special kid’s suites accommodations are also available at the other on-site hotels including new Jurassic Park-themed suites at Loews Royal Pacific Resort and music-inspired kids’ suites at Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando.

Step into the action and excitement of the hottest movies to hit the big screen this summer at Universal Orlando Resort where you can “ride the movies!”

And right now you can get a double dose of one popular movie adventure.  First you can plunge into darkness on Universal Studios’ popular thrill ride, Revenge of the Mummy® roller coaster.

Then after a full day of fun at the theme park, head to the adjacent CityWalk Universal Cineplex 20, an AMC Theatre® to experience Universal Picture’s thrilling new The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor starring Brendan Fraser and Jet Li, opening August 1. 2008.

One of the best parts about vacationing is the opportunity to “eat out” on numerous occasions!  But it can also be one of the most expensive parts of a vacation.  That’s why the words, “KIDS EAT FREE” can be a valuable help to families visiting Orlando.

Hotels with “Kids Eat Free” specials include: Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn, Orlando World Center Marriott Resort, The Hilton Orlando Resort, Royal Plaza in the Walt Disney World Resort, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort (as part of the “Summer Splash” program), Sheraton Safari Hotel & Suites and many more. Other Orlando area restaurants with “Kids Eat Free” programs include: Andiamo Italian Bistro & Grill, Gator’s Dockside, Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant, Lone Star Steak House and Roadhouse Grill.

Theme park tickets don’t come cheap.  But that doesn’t mean you have to spend an arm and a leg for entertainment when visiting Orlando.  In fact, some of the best options are free!

You can keep the kids entertained for hours at the Lego Store located within Disney’s Marketplace.  Just stop by and dig into the brightly colored bins outside the store that are filled with Lego pieces.  Create your own masterpiece or try racing your own Lego car.  And don’t forget to take your picture with the oversize Lego creations surrounding you.  Then take a leisurely walk around this fun-filled shopping and entertainment complex.

Another freebie takes place every day at the Peabody Orlando hotel.  It’s the always anticipated March of the Peabody Ducks where the resident ducks enjoy a celebrity stroll across a red carpet to and from the Royal Duck Fountain.

It begins promptly at 11 a.m. when five North American mallard ducks descend from their $100,000 penthouse Royal Duck Palace and emerge from a special elevator in the lobby.  Accompanied by a Duck Master and appropriate marching music, they waddle in formation through the marble halls to a magnificent fountain where they splash in and spend their day.

At 5 p.m., the procession is reversed, The Peabody Orlando Ducks march back to their special elevator, then to their Royal Duck Palace for dinner and a quiet evening together.

Another popular and free outing is a visit to the Harry P. Leu Gardens, a 50-acre botanical park with the largest camellia collection in eastern North America. Admission to the gardens is free every Monday morning from 9 a.m. til noon.  In addition, the park runs a free story time program on the third Monday of every month for young children.

One of the easiest ways to save whenever you visit Orlando is by utilizing the Orlando Preferred Visitor Magicard issued by the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

Using the Magicard, you can save up to $500 with discounts year-round at 97 participating Orlando area establishments.  You’ll enjoy savings on everything from attractions and accommodations to restaurants and golf. You can download the card at www.orlandoinfo.com/magicard or order one by calling 1-800-551-0181.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg did it again. For the 18th consecutive year, the European-themed park has been voted the “Most Beautiful Park” by members of the National Amusement Park Historical Association. The combination of European-themed architecture, lush landscaping and elaborate costumes contributes to the beauty and charm of the park.

Additionally, Busch Gardens has ranked highly in Amusement Today’s international “Golden Ticket Awards” survey in the “Best Landscaping – Amusement Park” category. Busch Gardens has won the award every year since 1998 when the category was established.

 The songs that move you. The faith that fills you. It all comes together in one weekend at Universal’s annual Rock the Universe extravaganza, September 5th and 6^th.   Some of the biggest names in Christian rock take the stage at Universal Studios to the joy of thousands of believers enjoying a weekend of soul-stirring music right next to the action-packed thrills of the number one movie and TV based theme park in the world.

Scheduled performers for Sept. 5 include Switchfoot, Reliant K, Newsboys, Skillet, Grits, Group 1 Crew and New Method.  Artists slated to perform Sept. 6 include Third Day, Jars of Clay, Jeremy Camp, Stellar Kart, Leeland, This Beautiful Republic and Special D.  In addition to these musical guests, the event also features two special celebrity guest speakers and a Sunday morning worship service on Sept. 7.  Scheduled to speak are AJ Styles of TNA wrestling and Head, former heavy metal guitarist and founding member of the band, Korn.