SummerFest activities at Gaylord Palms (Press Release)

Press Release:


  KISSIMMEE, Fla.—( May 14, 2013 ) Summertime, and the livin’ is easy. It’s time to kick back and soak up the summer fun in style. Splash, slide, sip it down and shake it up with the best of ’em! Step into SummerFest at Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee.
Strike up a splashin’ good time with friends and family at Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park. Climb the multi-level Tree House play structure and drop down one of four waterslides or drench yourself with its 60 interactive water games. Watch out for the oversized tipping bucket which soaks guests with more than 317 gallons of water every 10 minutes! Then dance your flippers off with your favorite Madagascar DreamWorks Animation (SKG, Inc.) characters at a Crack-A-Lackin’ Pool Party!
At night, settle in poolside to enjoy a DreamWorks Splash ‘N’ Screen movie while you savor some all-American tasty treats from SandBar or a fancy-free food cart. For a quieter tropical oasis, escape to our exclusive adults-only, sophisticated South Beach pool and reserve a cozy poolside cabana.
Perhaps you prefer to enjoy your summertime fun with a more inward glow, one that doesn’t require sunshine? No worries! We’ve got you covered under our 4.5 acre atrium with loads of awesome, one-of-a-kind activities.
Gator and Fish Feedings
It’s a feeding frenzy! Don’t miss the alligator feedings with our friends from Gatorland in the St. Augustine atrium; and catch the fish feedings in the Key West lagoon, filled with 161,000 gallons of water and home to three of Florida's most sought after game fish: redfish, snook and tarpon, among others.
DreamWorks Character Meet & Greets
You never know who you’ll run into around here in the evenings. Gaylord Palms’ atriums are chock-full of celebrities! Snag a hug and snap a photo with your favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation films such as Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda.
Discover Delicious Dining

• Live Music at Sunset Sam’s: This joint is jumpin’! Swing by Sunset Sam’s Friday nights for some tropical island-themed live music while you sink your teeth into the tastiest New World Floridian cuisine, with a variety of fresh seafood prepared to your preference. Saturday evenings are devoted to sizzlin’ Key West Sunset Celebrations featuring music and colorful entertainment reminiscent of what you would find in Mallory Square in Key West.
   
• Sake and Omakase at SORA: Are you ready for the next level of refreshing summertime fun? Stroll in to SORA, which features the art of sushi with the style of South Beach and offers a full bar of handcrafted drinks. Enjoy Sake and Omakase as our chefs showcase traditional Japanese cuisine with a unique Gaylord twist!
   
• The Craft Beer Garden at Wreckers Sports Bar: Wreckers Sports Bar is excited to introduce a new feature on Friday nights this summer: an exclusive Craft Beer Garden! Smack your lips on craft beers and specialty menu pairings before you head inside for dinner or an evening of adventure. Be mesmerized by our two-story sports screen and the feel of an Old Key West bar.
   
• ShrekFeast at Villa de Flora: Guests can kick off their mornings with a ShrekFeast Interactive Character Breakfast at Villa de Flora. Kids will love solving riddles and puzzles on their quest to become an honorary Ogre. Join Shrek and friends for a fairytale feast fit for a king. Tableside hugs included! This experience features a Magic Fountain bubbling over with intoxicating chocolate potions and Shrek-shaped waffles with syrup. Individual tickets are required. Call 407-586-1114 to reserve your seat at the table.

Join us this summer for season-long fun in the sun. Don’t miss out on your chance to make your summer shine with a getaway to Gaylord Palms Resort. Summer packages are available to suit every taste. Just call 407-586-2000 or visit www.gaylordpalms.com/summerfest for details and package information.
Gaylord Palms Resort is located five minutes from the gates of Walt Disney World at 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34746.


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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Disney memorabilia event at Fantasy of Flight Sunday June 9

I'll be there selling and signing some books at a screaming discount!

Press Release:


Orlando, Florida/ Polk City , Florida June 9th 2013 dealers from around the country and local legends will gather for a one day collectibles show and celebration of vintage travel memorabilia from the history of travel and vacations in Florida. The show will show case airline memorabilia along with souvenirs and relics from the Florida's most famous attractions. It will be a tribute to the family vacations of yesteryear, from the way we got there to the places that are now just a cherished memory and the places that continue to be our favorite destinations.

Themepark Connection , the event's main sponsor will ensure that every Disney fan will be treated to a wide variety of Walt Disney World souvenirs including many one of a kind items from the parks. They will also be sponsoring pin and vinylmation trading..

In the shadow of a Lockheed Constellation or “ Connie” , airline and aviation buffs will be treated to a selection of collectibles from the golden age of airline travel including wings, models and everything else airline. Fantasy of Flight has a number of vintage airplanes from the history of air travel including a Short Sunderland Flying Boat, Ford Tri-motor and a Lockheed Vega. Show attendees can receive a discount on their Fantasy of Flight admission or attend the show for free with a paid admission to the attraction.

There will be hourly door prizes, trivia contest through out the day and a live auction of Disney memorabilia to benefit Noah's Light Foundation, a pediatric brain cancer research charity.

Featured guest is Ron Schneider, the original Dream Finder at Disney's Epcot Center and veteran international theme park performer . He will be signing his book “ From Dreamer to Dreamfinder; 40 years behind a name tag”. At 2:30 Orlando Attractions magazine will host a live Q&A with Ron giving Disneyana fans a chance to learn more about his experiences in the theme park industry.

Another special engagement is the return of the Mold-A-Rama machines from Cypress Gardens and a selection of vintage figures from the archives of the owners and operators of the machines in Florida Mold-a-matic .

Florida travelers will remember these futuristic looking machines that in exchange for a few quarters created a plastic figure in front of your very eyes. Don't miss this chance to relive that moment from your childhood.
The event is Sunday, June 9th . Show hours are from 10am till 4pm. Admission is 8 dollars per person.
Fantasy of Flight is located just off exit 44 on I-4 minutes south of the Disney resort area.

For updates like and follow www.facebook.com/florida.collectors . For dealer information please contact Greg Spalding (407) 462-2163 qed4@aol.com

For general information and pictures please contact Jon Anderson (407) 376 26-14
film1270@gmail.com


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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress re-opening of rec facilities (Press Release)

This month, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress - a mega resort hotel just outside WDW - opened new outdoor features. From the press release:

Located along the 1,000 feet of white sandy beach of private Lake Windsong, the 800,000 gallon, ½ acre, free- flowing lagoon pool boasts 12 waterfalls, heated and non-heated pools, two whirlpools, new Water Slide Tower Pavilion, new children’s Rock Climbing Stations, new interactive Water Jet Splash Zone, rope bridge, walking paths, and expansive, wrap-around sundecks all inspired by contemporary design matched with the simplicity of timeless fun.

These new features complement the resort’s favorite recreation activities including; S’mores pit with fireside storytelling and classic family marshmallow roasting fun; 1,000 feet of white sandy beach at the 21-acre Lake Windsong with beach volleyball, tether ball, lounge seating and hammocks; watersports with paddleboats, kayaks, hydro bikes, canoes, aqua cycles and sailboats; old-fashioned, canopied surrey bikes and traditional bicycles; four exclusive Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf courses; Tennis and Racquet Club; and marked jogging, walking, and biking trails. Take a closer look of the new and enhanced activities on the enclosed fact sheet.

The Resort Services Program fee has been waived and therefore all of the following are included: Health Club Open 24 Hours, 9 Hole, Par 3 Pitch N Putt, Water sports: Canoe, Paddle Boat, Hydro Bike, Aqua cycle, Sailboat and Kayak, Bikes: Adults, Children and Surreys, Golf Driving Range, Court Time at the Tennis Racquet Club, Daily Scheduled Shuttle Transportation to Walt Disney World Theme Parks, Universal Studios/ Islands of Adventure and SeaWorld, Wired and Wireless Internet, and Free Local and Toll Free Telephone Service. Plus, we have included valet parking for you.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Maps and photos of new Pirate's Adventure (Jack Sparrow game) at MK Adventureland

The Pirate's Adventure game has been testing this week in the Magic Kingdom. Here are some images of the signage, a few of the props, and all five of the maps they hand out with each mission.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Diagon Alley announced for Universal Studios Florida

From the Uni Facebook page:

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

Scheduled to open in 2014, the world’s first centrally themed, multi-park experience expands The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across both Universal Orlando theme parks and allows 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, offering 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.”


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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

7 Dwarfs Mine Coaster - Will it be Ninja or Big Bad Wolf? (analysis)

The jury is definitely still out on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster. 

It will have lots of curves. It will have some drops and surprises. It will definitely have some animatronics (echoes perhaps of the Legoland Dragon coaster).

But will it be any good?

The world has seen coasters that swing before, primarily from "suspended" coasters. (An aside: 'inverted' coasters are ones where your legs are unsupported; suspended are when the individual cars still have floors). Ninja at Six Flags Magic Mountain was my first suspended, and it's fun all right... but it's not amazing.

Big Bad Wolf (now gone) at Busch Gardens Williamsburg was just like Ninja, except it was fast, exciting, and had truly interesting elements (the drop to the water was intense and unlike anything else).

They were both suspended coasters, but they were not equivalent experiences.

The Seven Dwarfs coaster promises to have swing to it - will it be more like Ninja or more like Big Bad Wolf? The proof of the pudding will come out eventually... for now, there is just no knowing. Only praying.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Top of the World Lounge, Bay Lake Tower (pics)

A while back I finally had a chance to visit the Lounge atop Bay Lake Tower. I love the concept artwork you can see up here!

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.