For many visitors, a trip to Central Florida would never be complete without a check in at SeaWorld Orlando. With so many different attractions, rides, and educational opportunities, it’s a park worth considering for many who come here.

One of the premier experiences you can add on to your visit is to swim and interact with marine wildlife, such as dolphins and stingrays. Both experiences give you and your fellow travelers a fantastic way to create a bond with these amazing beings that can’t be forgotten.

Beyond the aquarium aspect of SeaWorld, is a whole theme park with lots of rides and attractions. There is Journey to Atlantis for those of you who may want to take a cool and somewhat wet ride. Kraken is one of the worlds top roller coasters and can’t be described without a direct view of the coaster. Let’s just say there’s nothing else even close to it in the Orlando area.

SeaWorld also prides itself on conservation efforts, including a Manatee rehabilitation center at the park. It’s one of my favorite locations to visit at SeaWorld. See these gentle giants swimming through their rehabilitation center and being made strong enough to return to the wild is a beautiful sight to behold.

It’s difficult to write about SeaWorld and not mention that there is some controversy about the park. SeaWorld has been in the news for some time due to the unfortunate loss of a trainer and the subsequent movie and news stories. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask your travel agent. We are here to help find the best fit for your travels and to answer your questions honestly and with the most accurate information.

When Daniel isn’t sharing Planning Tips about SeaWorld, other Orlando Vacations and beyond, he can be found planning Vacations. Contact him today!

If you are going back and forth with trying to decide if you want to do a Disney Cruise or spend your time in the parks, I have a great idea for you….why not do BOTH? Sailing on the award-winning Disney Cruise Line to a tropical destination before or after a stay at Walt Disney World Resort makes for the ultimate family vacation.  There are so many reasons why I love adding a cruise on to a Disney Parks vacation and here are my top 5.

• Experience the thrills and frills of a hassle-free vacation. You will stay in world-class accommodations, eat food that is prepared by first-rate chefs and be entertained from morning until night the Disney way.

• It’s a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. You could be zip lining from a tree top in a tropical forest one day and the next day relaxing at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island.

• A short 3-4-day cruise is a great way for first-time cruisers to get acquainted. The shorter sailings allow you to see if cruising is the right fit for your family. Most activities, entertainment and dining options are included in the price of the cruise, so you will know what to budget. I bet you will be hooked once you experience a cruise.

• Experience the Disney Magic. From regal gatherings with princesses to dance parties with Mickey and the gang on Castaway Cay, a Disney cruise gives you the chance to interact with characters in a whole new way. And speaking of Castaway Cay, most of the cruises leaving from Florida make a stop at this tropical paradise reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests.

• It’s all about location. With two Disney Cruise Line homeports in Florida, it’s never been easier to make both a cruise and resort stay part of your Disney vacation. Port Canaveral and Miami are within driving distance of Walt Disney World, making it convenient to stay at one of the resorts and enjoy all four theme parks before or after visiting tropical destinations on a cruise to the Bahamas or the Caribbean.

There’s no shortage of fun onboard or in port, but with so many options to recharge, you won’t need a vacation from your vacation when you return home. The Disney Cruise Line offers something for everyone in the family. You won’t know what to do first!
If land and sea appeal to you, then I would love to help you plan the ultimate Disney vacation. I hope to see you on board soon!

Written by JoAnne Traczek: I am a retired Veteran who is enjoying helping people travel all over the world! I enjoy planning all your travel needs, no matter what you need or where you go. I have seen a great part of the world and love to share my knowledge with people who enjoy traveling. Contact me when you want to see the world. I will help you, one destination at a time. You can reach me at joanne@destinationsinflorida.com.

As an Orlando local, one of my favorite places to enjoy some Christmas fun is at Gaylord Palms Orlando.  This hotel is just a few minutes from the Walt Disney World Resort.  You do not have to stay at Gaylord Palms Orlando to enjoy all of the Christmas fun.  You can pop over just to see ICE or grab a coffee and watch the Cirque Dreams show.  There is so much Christmas fun, your entire family will be screaming “HO, HO, HO!”

Gaylord Palms sets up their convention center into a winter wonderland called Alpine Village.  In Alpine Village you can go snow tubing, see the spectacular ICE display, meet Santa Claus, build a bear at the Build a Bear Workshop, decorate a gingerbread house, enjoy live musical performances or shop at one of the best stores for Christmas ornaments.

There is so much to do at the Alpine Village.  Some of these activities do charge an extra fee.  Be sure you double check the prices and pre-order your tickets, before you leave your home or hotel.  This will save you some time waiting in lines.

Of course, there are lots of activities that do not involve a fee, including Cirque Dreams show, Santa, and Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt.  The scavenger hunt is always our kids’ favorite activity.

My family and I just got back from a visit to Gaylord Palms and you get to come along with all of the Christmas FUN!

Day 1 with ICE & Snow Tubing at Gaylord Palms Orlando

Today was our 1st day at Gaylord Palms with ICE and snow tubing.  As Floridians, we got to see ice and snow in Florida!  We bundled up with hats, scarves and gloves.  Even our flip flops were left in the room and we wore boots and tennis shoes to keep our toes warm.  With ICE, it is a constant 9 degrees.  You are given a super warm parkas, but you still want to keep those toes, fingers and heads warm.  The snow tubing is a little warmer, but a light jacket is still a good idea.

Both activities are a lot of fun, especially the snow tubing.  Even Grandma hopped on the tubes with the kids.  It was a fun evening of Christmas laughs and screams!

Day 2 with Gingerbread Decorating, Build a Bear & Santa at Gaylord Palms Orlando

Today we started off with Gingerbread Decorating with Nutmeg!  This is one of my favorite activities for a small fee.  We bought a Gingerbread Family for under $25 and my whole family (including Grandparents) got to experience the decorating and the Gingerbread Character Meet & Greet.  For a character meet up, that is an amazing price!  We also hit the holiday Build a Bear Workshop and met Santa.

Day 3 with Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt at Gaylord Palms Orlando

This was the last day of our visit to Gaylord Palms.  We left the best for last with the Elf on the Scavenger Hunt around Gaylord Palms.  The kids LOVE this free activity!

When planning your holiday vacation or even a day trip in Orlando, be sure you check out Gaylord Palms Orlando.

Universal Orlando USA Specials

Universal 1-Day or 2-Day Pass with Shuttle Transportation

Take a day away from the Disney World Parks to visit both Universal Orlando Resort theme parks – Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure where you can experience both lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™!

Book a 1-Day or 2-Day Pass to Universal Orlando USA with shuttle transportation included in the ticket. This special ticket is only available with select companies, including Destinations in Florida.

Get a Free Day to Play For a limited time, buy a 2-Day Pass and get your 3rd day FREE! This special discount ends on April 12.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ Exclusive Vacation Package

If you are a Harry Potter fan, you will want to book The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ Exclusive Vacation Package. This exclusive package includes breakfast at Three Broomsticks and breakfast at Leaky Cauldron.

This package also has Early Park Admission, complimentary resort transportation, and even an exclusive photo opportunity with Shutterbutton’s™ Photography Studio. This discount package is perfect for any Harry Potter family!

Limited Time Offer!

For Bookings now through August 22, receive free ± Universal’s SuperStar Shuttle roundtrip transportation from Orlando International Airport– a savings of $35††per person (ages 3 and above) – when booking a 4-night or longer vacation package at Universal Orlando’s newest resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Request a Price Online

Room Tour at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the flagship resort at Walt Disney World. It’s decor reflects the style, the elegance and the splendor of the Victorian era. Here’s a room tour of a standard room in the Sago Cay building.

Sago Cay is considered an Outer Building since it’s detached from the main lobby building. The standard room sleeps up to 5 adults in several available bed / room configurations.  The rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian are recently refurbished and feature hardwood entry and bath area and freshly carpeted sleeping areas. The bathroom features a tub and toilet behind a door leaving double sinks still accessible.

There is also a large closet with plush robes and a small desk and sitting area. Remember to look around for hidden Mickey’s because you will find a couple in the Grand Floridian rooms!

In addition to the beautiful rooms, this lavish bayside hotel offers monorail access to Disney’s Magic Kingdom park, other resorts and the Ticket and Transportation Center. You can also catch a boat to Magic Kingdom or other area resorts. When it’s time to relax, play at the beach pool or bask on the white-sand beach. Visit the spa for a massage or facial or rent a boat to tour the adjacent lake. In the evenings, catch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the comfort of your resort! Don’t forget to dine at any one of the gorgeous restaurants at Disney’s Grand Floridian, too!

“Frozen”-themed Gingerbread Display and Shop Now Open

A Gingerbread ice castle themed after Disney’s “Frozen” is now open for guest viewing at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. It is adorned with sugar snowflakes, gingerbread shingles and chocolate-coated trees, and Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven are decorated with sugar, chocolate and candy. In all, 423 pounds of chocolate and 311 pounds of honey went into the creation. While you can’t eat the house, there’s a special blue raspberry cake “Frozen” gelato, plus gingerbread and sugar cookies, snowflake ornaments, linzer and the popular chocolate-peppermint cookies all available for purchase. Or you can take home a build-your-own Olaf snowman kit! There’s even a gluten free Gingerbread Boy from Erin McKenna’s Bakery!

Olaf is enjoying some summer fun with a huge sugar sandcastle, and there’s even a cake inspired by Frozen Fever! Plus, Elsa’s snowgies are popping up throughout the sweet scene!

And don’t forget to search for the 15 hidden Olafs! How many can you see in this video of the gingerbread display?

This display is located on the 4th floor at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Disney’s Contemporary is just one of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels to display an artistic and delicious creation. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa also have magnificent creations for all guests to admire. They all offer gingerbread and other treats for sale too.

Have you ever purchased a gingerbread treat from these Disney displays? How was it?

SKYPLEX World Record Setting Attractions Coming to I-Drive

Orlando’s tourist corridor on International Drive will get some distinctively vertical additions to its skyline by 2018 with the development of SKYPLEX!

SKYPLEX will feature the area’s largest indoor theme park complete with upscale arcading, simulators, bars, and a host of rides and games, as well as additional opportunities for attractions, interactive venues, restaurants and retail. SKYPLEX also will include a 350-room hotel and 2400-car parking garage with a valet parking option. The Skyscraper observation deck will offer views 535 feet from the ground and will be accessible by the region’s tallest glass elevators.

The biggest thrills at SKYPLEX will come from it’s world record setting attractions, including The Skyscraper “polercoaster” and the 450-foot drop ride, SkyFall!

Developers David and Joshua Wallack announced this week that The Skyscraper at SKYPLEX™ will now include a 524-foot vertical lift coming 24 feet under the ground and up to its ultimate height of 501 feet. This will be the fourth world record planned for the Skyscraper “polercoaster” including the world’s tallest roller coaster, world’s tallest inversion, and the world’s steepest drop. The Skyscraper “polercoaster” is the anchor attraction at SKYPLEX™.

The Wallacks also announced that SKYPLEX’s surf park SkySurf will contain the world’s largest man-made surfing wave pool, bringing six overall world records to the entertainment complex including the previously announced SkyFall, the world’s tallest drop ride, and four for The Skyscraper.

SKYPLEX will comprise approximately 1.5 million square feet located on 14 prime acres in the Orlando attraction’s corridor. It will also include SkyFly free fall zip line, simulators and a host of rides and games, as well as additional opportunities for attractions, interactive venues, upscale restaurants, bars and retail. SKYPLEX will have a 2400 space parking garage and valet option.

Are you brave enough to take on these world record setting attractions?

Each year, thousands of newlyweds choose Orlando for their honeymoon. While often thought of as a family destination because of the local theme parks, there are many wonderfully romantic things to do while on your honeymoon in Orlando.

• Dinner at Capa: Capa is a Spanish steakhouse located on the top floor of the Four Seasons Orlando. Not only is it one of the most romantic spots to dine, if you eat there later in the evening, you are able to view both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot’s firework shows. They offer a full bar and various entrees with the lamb rack being my favorite. Capa is open from 6pm-10pm each night. Reservations are strongly suggested but not required.

• Get a Massage: While there are many spas and salons to choose from when looking to schedule a massage, my favorite is Woodhouse Day Spa located in Dr. Phillips, near Universal. They have a variety of packages both individual and for couples at a reasonable price. You can have couples massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures while enjoying the quiet atmosphere. I highly recommend taking a break from the thrill rides to spend one day relaxing together.

• Rent a Swan Boat on Lake Eola: While this may sound a bit childish, Lake Eola is a beautiful lake located in downtown Orlando. Beside Relax Grill, there is a boat dock with Swan boats. Prices begin at $15 for a half an hour. My favorite thing about these boats is that the backdrop to your romantic evening on the lake is the skyline of Downtown Orlando. For a more romantic effect, go around sunset. There are many restaurants and shops surrounding the lake where you can spend the day shopping and eating.

• Spend a Friday or Saturday night at Bosendorfer Lounge: There are no other places in Orlando that are more romantic and sexy than Bosendorfer Lounge. Enjoy evening cocktails and live jazz music. With comfortable chairs and couches and a darkened room with wood and red upholstery, it is one of the most romantic date places in Orlando.

• See a Show: There are so many great shows to see in the Orlando area. If you are into Broadway productions or concerts, you can take in a show at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts located in Downtown Orlando. They have concerts as well as constantly running Broadway shows. You can also see the Blue Man Group, which is the classic high energy show that will not only excite but entertain as well. Blue Man Group is located in CityWalk in Universal Studios Florida. Finally, Cirque du Soleil is a great show where you watch acrobats perform to music. It is located at Disney Springs.

If you are honeymooning in Orlando, don’t forget to come out of the theme parks to enjoy some lesser known romantic adventures in the city.  Kristi Gregory lives in Orlando with her husband and two boys.  Who better to plan a trip to Universal than a local who visits Universal multiple times a week?  Her clients enjoy insider tips, personalized itinerary planning, and attention to every detail of your trip.  Call Kristi at (859) 229-4840  or email to start planning your next vacation. 

Orlando Crayola Experience Family Fun

One of the newest attractions in Orlando is the Crayola Experience at the Florida Mall.  This amazing attraction is filled with fun for the whole family.  There are over 25 activities to draw, color, paint and so much more.

From Crayola Experience Web Site:

Crayola Experience is a family attraction that only Crayola can create, designed to be a full day of hands-on creative play and colorful fun! It’s where every child’s creation is wonderfully unique – just like them!

Discover the magic of color with 25 hands-on attractions.  More than 70,000 square feet of wonderful, whimsical adventures await your family at this one-of-a-kind attraction located in Orlando, Florida.

In a single day, you and your child can do everything from starring in your own coloring page to animating your creations on a huge digital projection.
You will see how crayons are made in a live theatre show starring our animated crayon friends, Scarlet & Turk, and our resident Crayonologist – or you can personalize an authentic crayon label to create your own Crayola crayon.
Check out our attractions tab for a complete list of all our unique experiences.

The Crayola Experience will be open year round.  Specializing in colorful birthday parties, group outings, educational field trips and special events.

Agent Review of Castaway Cay Island

Our agent, Regina Cwiklinski, shares her experience of Castaway Cay Island.  This is just one of the stops during a Disney Cruise Bahamas and Caribbean Cruise. 

I did my first Disney cruise on March 2014.  I had heard so much about Castaway Cay and how amazing it was and I thought, “it’s a little island, how much can there be to do?”

Wow! I stepped of the Disney Magic Cruise Ship and onto Castaway Cay and instantly understood all the hype!  You are greeted by these guys who instantly set the mood for your day—fun and laughter!

The beach was amazing—a fun family section with a water slide, tubes, snorkeling gear and all the adventure.  There is even an adult’s only section when you just want some peace and quiet.  Other fun activities include biking around the island, Castaway Cay’s 5k run/walk, and hiking. I took advantage of the hiking and fell in love with all the beautiful flowers and plants.

Your lunch is included as well—a delicious Caribbean feast with fish, ribs, burgers, fresh fruit, salads and dessert. There is a bar for kid beverages and adult beverages.

If you have not had a chance to try out Disney Cruise Line and take advantage of all the fun on Castaway Cay I highly recommend contacting your travel agent today to find out how you can experience this hidden gem for yourself. 

Written by Regina Cwiklinski Travel Planner for Destinations to Explore.