December 27, 2010 The ever-popular Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend returns Jan. 6-9, 2011, with opportunities for runners of all ages and abilities. Coming off a record-breaking event in January 2010 that drew 55,000 registered runners from all 50 states and 50 countries, the weekend includes kids’ races, a Family Fun Run 5K, the Goofy Race & a Half Challenge, the Disney Half Marathon and the Disney Marathon, plus the Health & Fitness Expo.
In addition to a tremendous sense of accomplishment, a magical reward will await everyone who completes the Walt Disney World Marathon presented by Cigna in 2011: a new Mickey Mouse race medal chosen through online voting.
Also, as part of Disney’s ongoing efforts to encourage guests to celebrate the milestones in their lives at a Disney park, finishers at the Disney Marathon on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, will receive complimentary admission to a Walt Disney World theme park the Monday after the race.
Last year’s Disney Marathon Weekend was highlighted by Adriano Bastos’ sixth consecutive Disney Marathon victory and Lisa Mizutani’s second straight women’s title.
The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is a part of the new runDisney series. To learn more about endurance events at Disney, or to sign up for any of the runDisney events, go to www.runDisney.com.
       
December 23, 2010 
Orlando Bowl Week takes place Dec. 28 – January 1, 2011 and includes the following events:
4th Annual Parade of Bands, Dec. 28 at noon: Features marching bands from teams competing in the Champs Sports Bowl down Park Avenue in Winter Park.
2010 Champs Sports Bowl, Dec. 28 at 6:30 p.m.: N.C. State Wolfpack and West Virginia Mountaineers play in the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, which will be televised on ESPN. Tickets range from $25 to $65.
2010 Spherion Orlando Citrus Parade, Dec. 30 at 11 a.m.: The parade begins at the corner of Orange Avenue and Robinson Street in downtown Orlando and is hosted by reality TV couple Giuliana and Bill Rancic. Curbside seating is free and grand-stand seating in the TV broadcast area is available for $23 by calling 407-423-2476.
2011 Capital One Bowl, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m.: Michigan State Spartans and Alabama Crimson Tide play inside Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, which will be televised nationally on ESPN. Tickets range from $45 to $225.
For more information about Orlando Bowl Week, visit http://fcsports.com.
Seeking great deals on spacious accommodations during Orlando Bowl Week? Check out the latest specials at Westgate Resorts! Visit www.westgatedestinations.com for more information.
       
December 14, 2010 Orlando’s world-class theme parks – SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort – all offer great opportunities to ring in the New Year:
SeaWorld Orlando
The New Year’s Eve celebration at SeaWorld on December 31, 2010, features live shows, food and a fireworks and fountains show at midnight. Admission is included in regular park admission. For more information, visit www.seaworld.com.
Universal Orlando
Universal CityWalk hosts a New Year’s Eve celebration from 8 PM until 2 AM on December 31, 2010, features a performance by multi-platinum rock artist Bret Michaels, the lead singer and songwriters of Poison. The event includes a gourmet buffet, champagne toast and live entertainment at seven of CityWalk’s nightclubs, including Rising Star, Pat O’Brien’s and Red Coconut Club. Tickets are $119.99 if purchased by December 27 and $139.99 from December 28-31. For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com.
Walt Disney World Resort
Disney’s Magic Kingom features special presentations of the Main Street Electrical Parade and multiple nighttime fireworks displays on December 31, 2010. “Holiday Wishes” lights up the sky early in the evening and “Fantasy in the Sky” begins just before midnight. Epcot celebrates the New Year with two presentations of the “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” lights, lasers and fireworks display. Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrates New Year’s Eve with multiple presentations of “Fantasmic!” and a special “Lights! Camera! Happy New Year!” fireworks spectacular. Admission is included in regular park admission. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com.
       
December 1, 2010 Light up this year’s holiday season at SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration. It’s where guests can experience the joys of Christmas with all-new festivities sure to inspire traditions for years to come. Holiday events take place Friday through Sunday nights, now through Dec. 12, 2010, and nightly Dec. 17, 2010-Jan. 2, 2011.
The best way to experience SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration with family and friends is with an Annual Pass. Now with the purchase of an Annual Pass, guests receive three months free to enjoy all the park’s benefits, such as amazing animal encounters, thrill rides and world-class shows. For more information about SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration or to purchase an annual pass, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.
All-New Holiday Festivities
New to this year’s Christmas Celebration is the Sea of Trees. Guests will discover 74 massive trees, each sparkling, lighted and choreographed to classic holiday tunes, making a dramatic display around SeaWorld’s center lake.
Also new this year is The Christmas Market, located on the park’s Bayside Pathway. Here guests can shop for one-of-a-kind gifts and dine on scrumptious holiday delights.
“Our guests will be immersed in the wonderful sights, sounds, and tastes of a joyous holiday experience,” said Michael Fletcher, vice president of Entertainment for SeaWorld Orlando. “The Sea of Trees is going to transform our holiday nights with a stunning symphony of lights and music on the water. Guests can even do their Christmas shopping in the Christmas Market while they feast on delicious holiday favorites. We want SeaWorld to become a joyous holiday tradition for our guests, so this year we’re truly bringing the sea to the season!”
Returning Holiday Favorites
Returning to SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration are family favorites. At the park’s Wild Arctic attraction, guests can jump aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience and take an unforgettable train ride to the North Pole. Classic scenes from THE POLAR EXPRESS movie are recreated in a multi-sensory experience that immerses passengers in speciallighting, scent, sound and motion effects. When they arrive at the North Pole, guests discover a winter wonderland surrounded by holiday cheer and amazing animal encounters.
THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience is based on the film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment, inspired by the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Families and friends can once again enjoy the spirit of Christmas during four of SeaWorld’s holiday-themed shows:
· Winter Wonderland on Ice, is a spectacular show where Christmas comes to life with towering water fountains, magnificent fireworks and some of the most talented ice skaters in the world.
· Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas, is a Christmas comedy with everyone’s favorite sea lions Clyde and Seamore and a few mischievous otters and a jolly walrus or two, just for good measure.
· A Sesame Street Christmas is a festive and fun musical celebration where guests can celebrate the holidays with friends from Sesame Street. The holidays have arrived, but Abby Cadabby doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about … she’s never heard of Christmas! Elmo, Big Bird and other Sesame Street friends gather to share the true spirit of the holiday with her.
· Shamu Stadium once again brightens the night with dazzling lights and glowing candles, while Christmas carols abound and Shamu splashes to celebrate the holiday season. It’s the magnificent holiday show, Shamu Christmas … Miracles.
For those looking for unique holiday cuisine with SeaWorld’s special touch, the Makahiki Christmas Luau is a South Seas-style festive celebration of the ancient holiday traditions of the Pacific Islands. Joyful songs of the season are reinterpreted with Polynesian rhythms, music and dance.
       
Light up this year’s holiday season at SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration. It’s where guests can experience the joys of Christmas with all-new festivities sure to inspire traditions for years to come. Holiday events take place Friday through Sunday nights, now through Dec. 12, 2010, and nightly Dec. 17, 2010-Jan. 2, 2011.
The best way to experience SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration with family and friends is with an Annual Pass. Now with the purchase of an Annual Pass, guests receive three months free to enjoy all the park’s benefits, such as amazing animal encounters, thrill rides and world-class shows. For more information about SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration or to purchase an annual pass, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.
All-New Holiday Festivities
New to this year’s Christmas Celebration is the Sea of Trees. Guests will discover 74 massive trees, each sparkling, lighted and choreographed to classic holiday tunes, making a dramatic display around SeaWorld’s center lake.
Also new this year is The Christmas Market, located on the park’s Bayside Pathway. Here guests can shop for one-of-a-kind gifts and dine on scrumptious holiday delights.
“Our guests will be immersed in the wonderful sights, sounds, and tastes of a joyous holiday experience,” said Michael Fletcher, vice president of Entertainment for SeaWorld Orlando. “The Sea of Trees is going to transform our holiday nights with a stunning symphony of lights and music on the water. Guests can even do their Christmas shopping in the Christmas Market while they feast on delicious holiday favorites. We want SeaWorld to become a joyous holiday tradition for our guests, so this year we’re truly bringing the sea to the season!”
Returning Holiday Favorites
Returning to SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration are family favorites. At the park’s Wild Arctic attraction, guests can jump aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience and take an unforgettable train ride to the North Pole. Classic scenes from THE POLAR EXPRESS movie are recreated in a multi-sensory experience that immerses passengers in speciallighting, scent, sound and motion effects. When they arrive at the North Pole, guests discover a winter wonderland surrounded by holiday cheer and amazing animal encounters.
THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience is based on the film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment, inspired by the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Families and friends can once again enjoy the spirit of Christmas during four of SeaWorld’s holiday-themed shows:
· Winter Wonderland on Ice, is a spectacular show where Christmas comes to life with towering water fountains, magnificent fireworks and some of the most talented ice skaters in the world.
· Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas, is a Christmas comedy with everyone’s favorite sea lions Clyde and Seamore and a few mischievous otters and a jolly walrus or two, just for good measure.
· A Sesame Street Christmas is a festive and fun musical celebration where guests can celebrate the holidays with friends from Sesame Street. The holidays have arrived, but Abby Cadabby doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about … she’s never heard of Christmas! Elmo, Big Bird and other Sesame Street friends gather to share the true spirit of the holiday with her.
· Shamu Stadium once again brightens the night with dazzling lights and glowing candles, while Christmas carols abound and Shamu splashes to celebrate the holiday season. It’s the magnificent holiday show, Shamu Christmas … Miracles.
For those looking for unique holiday cuisine with SeaWorld’s special touch, the Makahiki Christmas Luau is a South Seas-style festive celebration of the ancient holiday traditions of the Pacific Islands. Joyful songs of the season are reinterpreted with Polynesian rhythms, music and dance.
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