For more information about - “The World’s Largest Dude Ranch!” - visit www.wgriverranch.com.

With dozens of championship golf courses, Central Florida has evolved into a true golfer’s paradise. Whether you are a beginner who wants to take lessons at one of the area’s renowned golf academies or a more experienced golfer who seeks new challenges, you will find a golf course in the Orlando area to meet your specific needs.

Walt Disney World Resort itself boasts five championship golf courses: Osprey Ridge, Palm, Magnolia, Eagle Pines and Lake Buena Vista. Designed by legendary architect Tom Fazio, Osprey Ridge is arguably the most difficult course at Disney World. The Palm course has been rated 4 stars by Golf Digest. The Magnolia course is known for the abundance of beautiful Magnolias that line the fairways. Eagle Pines is a par-72, 18-hole course designed by Pete Dye. Opened in 1971, the par-72 Lake Buena Vista course features 6,819 yards of golf. Disney World also offers the nine-hole, par-36 Oak Trail golf course.

Plenty of championship-caliber golf courses lie just minutes from Walt Disney World Resort. For instance, the award-winning MetroWest Golf Club was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and offers a wide range of challenges, including numerous bunkers and plentiful water hazards, as well as expansive fairways. Celebration Golf Club, which lies just 5 minutes from Disney World, was also designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., along with his son Robert Trent Jones Jr. ChampionsGate Golf Resort boasts 36 holes of championship golf and is also home to the world-renowned David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Designed by Ron Garl and Howard Swan, the par-73 Eagle Creek Golf Club boasts five par 5 holes. The Shingle Creek Golf Club has already received the “Greens of Distinction” award from Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine.

Two area courses, Grand Cypress Golf Club and The Golden Bear Club at Keene’s Pointe, were both designed by “The Golden Bear” himself, Jack Nicklaus. The award-winning Grand Cypress Golf Club features three nine-hole courses, as well as the 18-hole New Course. It is also home to the Grand Cypress Academy of Golf. Amenities at the Golden Bear Club at Keene’s Pointe include a 24,000-square-foot clubhouse, full-service restaurant, fully stocked pro shop and driving range.

Orlando also hosts several golf tournaments on the PGA tour such as the Arnold Palmer Invitational (formerly known as the Bay Hill Invitational) at Bay Hill Golf Club March 23-29, 2009, and the Children’s Miracle Network Classic at Walt Disney World Resort’s Palm & Magnolia Courses November 2-8, 2009. Both of these immensely popular tournaments draw some of the top professional golfers in the world such as Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson.

The presence of championship golf courses, along with world-class theme parks, makes Orlando, Florida, the ideal destination for family vacations. For great deals on spacious villa rentals that offer easy access to Central Florida’s championship golf courses, consider Westgate Resorts properties such as Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Leisure Resort, Westgate Palace, Westgate Towers, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas. For more information about the latest deals at Westgate Resorts, visit www.orlando-florida.net/hotels.

For more information about Disney World, visit www.orlando-florida.net.

For more details about the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, visit orlando-florida.net.

Westgate Resorts has launched an exclusive Last Minute Orlando Special on spacious villa rentals loaded with amenities and within proximity of world-class theme parks such as Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando. Book online now and save 20 percent off regular rates at select Westgate Resort properties, including Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Palace, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas. Then pack your bags and enjoy a fun-filled family vacation getaway in Orlando – “The Vacation Capital of the World!”

From studio villas to four-bedroom grand villas, Westgate Resorts can match the appropriate accommodation with your family’s needs. Many of the villas at Westgate Resorts boast fully equipped kitchens, living areas with sleeper sofas, whirlpool tubs, and private balconies or patios, depending on the villa.

Choose from one of these ideally located Westgate Resort properties:

• Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa
A lush, tropical paradise just minutes from Walt Disney World Resort, the lakefront Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa offers a variety of onsite amenities such as the award-winning Westgate Smokehouse Grill, numerous swimming pools, tennis courts, watersports, basketball and volleyball courts, and a full schedule of family activities.

• Westgate Palace
Ideally located just off world-famous International Drive and within one mile of Universal Orlando, Westgate Palace lies within walking distance of Wet ‘n’ Wild water park and offers comfortable suite accommodations, as well as an outdoor pool, children’s pool, steam room, arcade, basketball court and deli.

• Westgate Town Center
Overlooking beautiful Lake Wilson, Westgate Town Center lies just one mile from Walt Disney World Resort and features numerous outdoor pools, fitness room, picnic areas, miniature golf, game room and tennis, volleyball and basketball courts.

• Westgate Vacation Villas
The main entrance to Walt Disney World Resort is located just one mile from Westgate Vacation Villas, which provides spacious suites and a variety of onsite amenities, including outdoor pools, fitness room, game room, lighted basketball and tennis courts, volleyball courts and a full schedule of family activities.

The Last Minute Orlando Travel Special at Westgate Resorts is available for a limited time only; travelers must book their vacation by February 7, 2009. So visit www.orlando-florida.net today to reserve your heavily discounted villa at Westgate Resorts. Be sure to enter promo code 4928 to take advantage of this exclusive offer. 
 
About Westgate Resorts
The largest privately owned timeshare company in the world and one of the largest resort developers in the United States, Westgate Resorts features luxury resorts in premier travel destinations throughout the United States such as Orlando, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Williamsburg, Virginia; Park City, Utah; Miami, Florida; Branson, Missouri; Mesa, Arizona; and Tunica, Mississippi. Founded in 1982 by David A. Siegel, Westgate Resorts boasts affordable vacation accommodations and exchange opportunities through exclusive affiliation with Interval International, which offers worldwide travel solutions at more than 2,000 resorts in 65 countries. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.

Get ready for smokin’ hot food and fired-up music during SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens’ Bud & BBQ. Each weekend February 7 through March 1, 2009, the parks present a zesty line-up of live performances by award-winning country and classic rock artists paired with blazing barbeque and ice-cold Budweiser.

At SeaWorld Orlando, Bud & BBQ kicks off on Saturday, February 7, 2009, with country artist Blake Shelton. On February 14, 2009, Kenny Rogers performs his classic hits. The series also features Daryl Hall and John Oates on February 21, 2009, and Jason Aldean on February 28, 2009.

At Busch Gardens Africa, Sundays will rock beginning February 8, 2009, with Phil Vassar and opening act Josh Gracin. Also appearing are Gretchen Wilson on February 15, 2009, Miranda Lambert on February 22, 2009, and Gregg Allman on March 1, 2009.

Admissio to Bud & BBQ is included with regular park admission. Concert dates and artists are subject to change without notice. For more information, visit BudandBBQ.com.

Billed as the “ultimate ESPN fan fest,” the 2009 ESPN The Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ will feature star athletes, live entertainment, ESPN broadcasts and plenty of interactive activities for all ages! Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods and benefiting The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 2009 ESPN The Weekend will take place February 27-March 1, 2009.

Highlights of 2009 ESPN The Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will include ESPN Live Telecasts & Tapings, ESPN Radio Live Broadcasts, Celebrity Appearances, Inside ESPN, Motorcades and Conversations with famous athletes, Dream Job - The Experience, Stump the Schwab All-Star Game, ESPN Sportszone, live editions of the Mike and Mike in the Morning radio broadcast, ESPN The Weekend 5K Race (new for 2009!), Atlanta Braves at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex and much more.

Sports celebrities scheduled to appear at 2009 ESPN the Weekend include Tedy Bruschi, Joba Chamberlain, Donnie Edwards, John Franco, Matt Garza, Ricky Henderson, Steven Jackson, Brandon Jacobs, Shawn Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jim Kelly, Bill Laimbeer, Misty May-Treanor, Warren Moon, Jim Palmer, Scottie Pippen, Aaron Rodgers, Curt Schilling, Charles Tillman, Hines Ward, Kurt Warner, Brian Westbrook, Roy E. Williams and Adam Vinatierie.

ESPN personalities scheduled to appear at the 2009 ESPN The Weekend include John Anderson, Skip Bayless, Colin Cowherd, Jay Crawford, Peter Gammons, Mike Golic, Mike Greenberg, Dana Jacobson, Al Jaffe, John Kruk, Chris McKendry, Steve Phillips, Karl Ravech, Howie Schwab, Stuart Scott, Mark Schlereh and Trey Wingo.

While attending 2009 ESPN The Weekend, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy all of the great rides, attractions and live shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios such as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The American Idol Experience, Star Tours, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, Toy Story Mania!, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage, High School Musical 3: Live on Stage and Fantasmic!

Looking for great deals on spacious villa rentals during your stay in Orlando for 2009 ESPN The Weekend? Visit www.orlando-florida.net/hotels for information on Westgate Resorts properties, including Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Leisure Resort, Westgate Palace, Westgate Towers, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas.

Note: Appearances subject to change without notice. 2009 ESPN The Weekend is included with the regular theme park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios™. Online registration at http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com for the 2009 ESPN The Weekend 5K Race will close Sunday, February 22, 2009, or when registration reaches capacity.

Billed as the “ultimate ESPN fan fest,” the 2009 ESPN The Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ will feature star athletes, live entertainment, ESPN broadcasts and plenty of interactive activities for all ages! Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods and benefiting The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 2009 ESPN The Weekend will take place February 27-March 1, 2009.

Highlights of 2009 ESPN The Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will include ESPN Live Telecasts & Tapings, ESPN Radio Live Broadcasts, Celebrity Appearances, Inside ESPN, Motorcades and Conversations with famous athletes, Dream Job - The Experience, Stump the Schwab All-Star Game, ESPN Sportszone, live editions of the Mike and Mike in the Morning radio broadcast, ESPN The Weekend 5K Race (new for 2009!), Atlanta Braves at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex and much more.

Sports celebrities scheduled to appear at 2009 ESPN the Weekend include Tedy Bruschi, Joba Chamberlain, Donnie Edwards, John Franco, Matt Garza, Ricky Henderson, Steven Jackson, Brandon Jacobs, Shawn Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jim Kelly, Bill Laimbeer, Misty May-Treanor, Warren Moon, Jim Palmer, Scottie Pippen, Aaron Rodgers, Curt Schilling, Charles Tillman, Hines Ward, Kurt Warner, Brian Westbrook, Roy E. Williams and Adam Vinatierie.

ESPN personalities scheduled to appear at the 2009 ESPN The Weekend include John Anderson, Skip Bayless, Colin Cowherd, Jay Crawford, Peter Gammons, Mike Golic, Mike Greenberg, Dana Jacobson, Al Jaffe, John Kruk, Chris McKendry, Steve Phillips, Karl Ravech, Howie Schwab, Stuart Scott, Mark Schlereh and Trey Wingo.

While attending 2009 ESPN The Weekend, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy all of the great rides, attractions and live shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios such as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The American Idol Experience, Star Tours, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, Toy Story Mania!, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage, High School Musical 3: Live on Stage and Fantasmic!

Looking for great deals on spacious villa rentals during your stay in Orlando for 2009 ESPN The Weekend? Visit www.orlando-florida.net/hotels for information on Westgate Resorts properties, including Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Leisure Resort, Westgate Palace, Westgate Towers, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas.

Note: Appearances subject to change without notice. 2009 ESPN The Weekend is included with the regular theme park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios™. Online registration at http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com for the 2009 ESPN The Weekend 5K Race will close Sunday, February 22, 2009, or when registration reaches capacity.

Let the good times roll at Mardi Gras 2009! Universal Studios boasts the largest Mardi Gras celebration outside of New Orleans – complete with a live concert series that features a diversity of musical stars, colorful parades full of floats (plenty of beads will also be thrown around!), elaborately costumed characters and delectable “Big Easy” cuisine such as jambalaya and shrimp gumbo. Mardi Gras 2009 at Universal Studios will begin on Saturday, February 7, 2009, and runs every Saturday night through Saturday, April 18, 2009, with additional dates on Sunday, February 15, 2009, and Friday, March 27, 2009.

Topping the entertainment list for Mardi Gras 2009 are such musical superstars as Billboard Chart-topper Ne-Yo, “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson, country music-duo Montgomery Gentry and Grammy Award-winning rapper Nelly, as well as Pat Benatar (”Hit Me with Your Best Shot”), MC Hammer (”Too Legit to Quit”), The Village People (”Y.M.C.A.”) and KC and the Sunshine Band (”Please Don’t Go”). In fact, this year’s Mardi Gras lineup has collectively sold more than 300 million records and captured a dozen Grammy Awards. In addition, lively New Orleans bands such as Big Red and the Zydeco Playmakers, Lil Malcolm and the House Rockers, Daddy Mac Blues Band, Chris Klein and the Boulevards, Rockin Jake, Mem Shannon and The Membership, The Honey Islands Swamp Band, Jumpin Johnny Sansone, Soul Project, Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers, and Lil Brian and Zydeco Travelers will showcase their authentic bayou music.

The centerpiece of Mardi Gras 2009 will be the parade featuring more than a dozen colorful floats that wind around the “French Quarter Courtyard” - a replica of New Orleans’ legendary French Quarter - the heart of Mardi Gras. These authentic floats are designed by “Mr. Mardi Gras” himself, Blaine Kern, whose company, Blaine Kern Artists, Inc., has built Mardi Gras floats since 1932. The parade theme for Mardi Gras 2009 is “Stories,” which will provide guests with a glimpse into the world of literature. Themed floats that feature iconic characters and settings from the pages of some of the world’s best-loved books will cruise the streets of Universal Studios throughout the event.

The Mardi Gras 2009 celebration would not be complete without the taste of traditional Cajun and Creole cuisine such as jambalaya, gumbo and beignets, which are sure to tempt the palate of Mardi Gras revelers. Along with delicious New Orleans-style cuisine, guests can enjoy flavorful drinks made famous in New Orleans.

Mardi Gras is included in park admission to Universal Studios. Admission to Universal Studios after 5 PM on Mardi Gras event dates is $45.99 plus tax. Live concerts in the Universal Studios Mardi Gras Concert Series begin at 8:30 PM.

So mark your calendar for Mardi Gras 2009 at Universal Studios, which provides a wonderful addition to the dynamic rides and shows at Universal Studios Florida such as The Simpsons Ride, Shrek 4-D and Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride. Both locals and visitors alike will enjoy the nationally recognized musical acts that headline the Mardi Gras events. In addition, Universal CityWalk hosts an official Mardi Gras after-party that includes free admission to select nightclubs until 2 AM such as Pat O’Brien’s, the official Mardi Gras Headquarters of CityWalk.

Mardi Gras 2009 at Universal Studios Concert Schedule

FEBRUARY

KC and the Sunshine Band, Big Red and the Zydeco Playmakers - Saturday, February 7, 2009
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Lil Malcolm and the House Rockers - Saturday, February 14, 2009
The Village People, Lil Malcolm and the House Rockers - Sunday, February 15, 2009
Ne-Yo, Daddy Mac Blues Band - Saturday, February 21, 2009
Pat Benatar (featuring Neil Giraldo on guitar), Chris Klein and the Boulevards - Saturday, February 28, 2009

MARCH

Barenaked Ladies, Rockin Jake - Saturday, March 7, 2009
Montgomery Gentry, Mem Shannon and The Membership - Saturday, March 14, 2009
Collective Soul, The Honey Islands Swamp Band - Saturday, March 21, 2009
Boys Like Girls, Jumpin Johnny Sansone - Friday, March 27, 2009
Kelly Clarkson, Jumpin Johnny Sansone - Saturday, March 28, 2009

APRIL

MC Hammer, Soul Project - Saturday, April 4, 2009
Trace Adkins, Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers, Saturday, April 11, 2009
Nelly, Lil Brian and the Zydeco Travelers - Saturday, April 18, 2009

Note: Times, dates and entertainment are subject to change without notice.

Looking for great deals on spacious villa rentals during your stay in Orlando for Mardi Gras 2009 at Universal Studios? Visit www.orlando-florida.net/hotels for information on Westgate Resorts properties, including Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Leisure Resort, Westgate Palace, Westgate Towers, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas.