Staying Cool At A Orlando Theme Park Near You

Winter time in Florida is almost here and the temperatures are rising at the theme parks to prove it. The biggest issue a traveler has when visiting the parks during the hot and humid times is their stamina and sweating to death. There are many issues that will make or break a person during their vacation here and keeping cool is at the top of that list! So many times you hear of travelers coming to the Orlando area and visiting the parks wearing as little as possible. You would think that showing up to the Magic Kingdom or Universal Studios wearing almost nothing in order to stay cool would be the best idea but time and time again this proves to be a very bad idea!

First off I would like to tell you that I used to work at Disney World for 8 years and I have seen it all. The tourist that are there on their first day and hitting the parks in the morning and then showing up at the end of that day looking like a fried lobster. The look on their faces resembling a fresh fried piece of red  leather and heat waves rolling up their whole body! Not fun and surely not feeling good! I have seen people get physically ill from too much sun to the point of needing medical attention. This is not how to stay cool folks. People from Europe are the worst when visiting our theme parks and get burned up in the first few day.

Staying cool in Florida is not that hard and requires just a few simple things. The biggest thing one must do is lather up with the sun screen! Head to toe and applying throughout the day. No exceptions. Next wear a long sleeve shirt that you won’t mind getting wet in. Ladies might want to wear a undershirt for this! Throughout the day when you start getting hot, pour a cup of water all over your shirt! This will cool your body core down and make you feel like you just jumped in a nice cold pool. Next bring a big plastic water bottle that you can refill at the parks for free. Drinking water will also bring your core body temperature down considerably. This will also save you money rather than buying water in the parks.

The biggest and best way to cool down would have to be airconditioning! Get your shirt wet and go stand or sit on one of the many areas inside at the theme parks. If you can’t find on ask! A cast member will tell you the best areas to go take a break at. I try to always take two pairs of cloths with me when I go to the parks, one for getting wet at the parks in and one for the end of the evening. This will make your trip home not a funky one! Wear a big hat and wear cool towel to wear around your neck. There are many on the market that state they are a cooling towel and they do work. Remember to pace yourself and take those breaks! It’s a vacation, not a race.

For discounts on your favourite Orlando theme parks including discount Disney tickets and discount Universal Studios tickets, contact our office by calling toll free 1-877-406-4836 today to save!

Theme Parks, Screaming Parents and Disfunction Oh My!

Have you ever been on vacation and witnessed a situation that made you cringe or better yet made you want to rethink your choice of destination? I can’t count how many times I have been at a theme park in Orlando and witnessed a parent yelling at a tired child or worse seen grown adults getting into fights over the dumbest things. The other day I was waiting for the Ferry Boat to take me and my little princess back to the parking lot and Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park and a older man walked right up next to us and started clipping his nasty nails within feet of my little girl. When I said excuse me sir, he just looked at me and went right back to making his nasty little pile of fingernail clippings. When he was done, he just kicked them around and spread them for the people to walk through.

Nastyness is everywhere and I guess it is all in how you deal with it. You may remember not to long ago, two women at one of the other Disney parks got into a fistacuf over someone getting to close in line and then started beating the crap out of one another with umbrellas all while children looked on. Such an ugly site for anyone to witness but those little souls were probably scared for life after seeing the ugly side of adults at such a magical place. I have to admit that there have been times that I have lost my cool, but was smart enough to take a deep breath and walk away, but all to often this is not the case. When you mix long days with heat and add a little beer to the mix, things are going to get a little testy from time to time.

Last week I was at Universal Studios Orlando and witnessed a man yelling at the top of his lungs at his little boy for not moving in the right direction for dads perfect vacation photo. I think he knew he was losing it when everyone around him just liked at him with shame, but some people just do give a damn about how they are acting or how they look doing it! When you start mixing long hot days with screaming kids and throw in a beer or two, things are going to get a little ugly. Some of the worst times that I have been at a theme park and just saw absolute chaos had to be at Epcot during their International Wine & Food Festival. Not a place for non-drinking people who do not like to see loud obnoxious people have a good time.

If you are a traveler who wishes to visit during the least stressful time, I recommend going during time when kids are in school and the season is cool with no 100 degree days. The hottest times seem to be the most stressful times as many travelers are not used to our hot steamy Florida days. It can suck the life right out of someone, leaving them stressed and dehydrated. This is not good if you are supposed to be taking of kids or elderly people. Just remember to stay cool, come during the right time and try to stay away from drink festivals if traveling with small children. For discount Disney tickets or Universal Studios tickets, please call our office toll free at 1-877-406-4836.

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – A New Dawn for Dark Rides

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - The latest roller coaster at Disney World will open in 2014

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - The latest roller coaster at Disney World will open in 2014

The Official Ticket Center ~ Being able to step inside the world of your most beloved and award winning Disney Classics of all times and become a part of those favorite actions is a dream come true experience. And the same is happening out there with the new Disney World ride. Imagine a journey through the mine where the Seven Dwarfs spend their days digging for gems. Imagine an adventure ride onboard the most unique theme park coaster train ever created. Well! For all those passionate about dark ride fantasies at Disney World parks, the magic is just getting more and more impressive. Thanks to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride attraction which comes as part of WDW’s (Walt Disney World) epic expansion program in the new Fantasyland area of Magic Kingdom Park.

I think it’s a whole new, family friendly ride experience we should not miss. For the first time in the history of Disney adventure-rides we have seen a ride with such amazingly new concept both in technology and in design as well. Moreover, the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction comes with many great and intriguing features. Whether it’s the magical train that takes you right into the most immersive and award-winning animated ambience ever, or those aesthetically designed cars of the train that reflects the most amazing concept of swinging coasters for the first time, I think the imagineers had left no stone unturned in shaping this one-of-a- kind ride-attraction till date.

Another most striking fact about the new train ride is its wide accessibility. Unlike the other extreme thrill rides, there is no age or height restriction for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train riders. Guests of all ages can enjoy the ride and its incredible story-line without missing the much needed thrills. Also factors such as the use of variable speed vehicles to incorporate the best of dark ride features, the application of new animatronics concept to bring to life the iconic characters (Snow White and the Dwarfs) and the magical environs where the Dwarfs live and work are sighted as some of the incredible highlights of the new attraction.

The new Fantasyland which opens in phases is WDW’s biggest expansion plan ever. Since 2012, as the construction continues, we have seen the advent of some extremely creative and exciting evolutions in the ten new acres of Disney Magic. First it was the dueling Dumbo rides and Storybook Circus section. Then comes the themed sections for The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast and later the Princes Fairytale Hall that replaces the Snow White’s Scary Adventures in 2013. And finally, it’s the opening of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride in 2014 that probably marks the end of this historic expansion program in Disney Orlando.

For discounts on Disney World admissions and passes to exclusive Orlando attractions and events, including discount Sea World Orlando tickets, Universal Studios tickets and other special Orlando packages, please call us toll free at 1-877-406-4836.

‘Celebrate the Magic’ – Magic Kingdom’s Most Stunning and Immersive Storytelling Show

Celebrate the Magic at Magic Kingdom

Celebrate the Magic at Magic Kingdom

The Official Ticket Center ~ Being an avid admirer of the enchanting Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom Park, I can only say that the sight of this world famous -one of a kind fairytale attraction overlooking the Main Street USA is just awesome. Moreover, for me visiting the iconic palace is always an inspiring experience – a great way to enjoy the fairytale – magic that Disney is best known to have. And what makes it more interesting is the incredible role played by the Castle itself at night. If you are visiting the area in the evening, you find the beauty of the Castle blossoms further with the popular castle projection show-Celebrate the Magic. The amazing nighttime spectacular transforms the entire Palace structure into one incredible paper canvas, showcasing the iconic Disney stories and characters like never before.

It’s really magical to watch the Castle comes to life with the most stunning and immersive storytelling projection show the Park has to offer. Imagine the journey with an enchanted paintbrush right on the Castle building where you encounter highly-themed 3D visuals – such as Tinker Bell flying over the Castle Turrets and sprinkling pixie dust on its way, followed by Walt Disney himself up in action – busy sketching his iconic character Mickey Mouse and much more. Truly the Celebrate the Magic attraction is a sheer technological brilliance. The show combines the best of what Disney Imaginers can offer, be it the awesome musical score, pixel accurate projection mappings, pyrotechnics and lighting.

Ever since its inception the Cinderella Castle is regarded as the signature attraction of the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida. Crowning the busiest and most popular of all the Disney Parks (Magic Kingdom), the magnificent Castle has always been the source of inspiration both for Disney Imaginers and the Park’s ever-increasing Fan base as well. In fact Cinderella Castle symbolizes the very core of the Disney magic, specially the fairy-tale concept that the theme park Resort preaches and instills in the hearts and minds of its fans and visitors for generations.

Today unlike its contemporaries, the Castle only gets better and more attractive with time. It becomes more beautiful at night and the inclusion of such exclusive storytelling shows enables us to catch the fancies right on the Structure of the Castle itself. With amazing seasonal themes the Palace is destined to change shapes and colors to the greatest delight of its admirers. Whether it’s special Christmas themes during Christmas or scenes from the Disney blockbusters during Summer, or the display of Disney Villains to celebrate the Halloween season, thanks to great castle projection shows like the Celebrate the Magic.

For discounts on Walt Disney World tickets and passes, and other Orlando theme park tickets, including Universal Studios tickets and Sea World tickets please call The Official Ticket Center toll free at 1-877-406-4836.




‘Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park’ Awaits Its Most Magical Makeover

Hollywood Studios Gets a Facelift

Hollywood Studios Gets a Facelift

The Official Ticket Center ~ The Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park is all set for a major revamp. Though officially, we haven’t heard much on this, yet the many significant revelations from the Theme Park Insider seem to have kept the buzz alive and happening within the fan communities. Moreover, given the speculations all around, it is no surprise that fans are all excited about the two upcoming highlights of the mega expansion plan- namely the Cars Land and Star Wars Land. Both the attractions are seen as great initiatives by Disney in taking forward the Hollywood Studios experience beyond expectations.

In the recent past, the advent of Cars Land was the main driving force behind the success of the Company’s under-performing California Adventure Park. The respective Amusement Park suddenly gained momentum, and had registered record increase in attendance following the debut of Cars Land as its centerpiece attraction. And now according to Theme Park Insider the same attraction will be embracing the fortunes at the Hollywood Studios Park in Florida. Moreover, the news about the coming of another much bigger and all new Star Wars themed attraction is just like adding more spice to the excitements. With the new attraction plans at hand, definitely we are going to have a much better, bigger and more popular Hollywood Studios, most probably by 2018 as per speculations.

The changing taste of theme park lovers and the hunt for more innovative and exciting adventures often invite serious challenges in the theme park businesses today. Whether it’s Cars Land at California Adventure Park, or the New Fantasyland Expansion at WDW’s (Walt Disney World) Magic Kingdom, big changes like these always encourage and influence the performance of the Park. They have the potentials to bring significant changes in terms of increased attendance and revenue. Imagine the historic initiative on part of the Universal Studios Resort in Florida – had the Park not planned the inclusion of its centerpiece attraction – the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, than probably the park wouldn’t be enjoying the kind of attendance it is having today.

Many theme park lovers are of the opinion that the Hollywood Studios hasn’t received the love it used to have once. Over the past few years the Park seems to be lagging behind- desperate for love both from Disney and its fans. However, considering the latest geeks, I believe the prospects of having a Cars Land as part of the huge revamp plan, and better still the coming up of an all new Star Wars Land for that matter can turn the fate of this popular Disney Park for sure.

For discounts on Walt Disney World tickets and passes, and other Orlando theme park tickets, including Universal Studios tickets and Sea World tickets you can call us toll free at 1-877-406-4836.

Disney to add new Princess Fairytale Hall, Seven Dwarfs coaster to Fantasyland

Disney Tickets Discount

New additions to Fantasyland

Disney officials unveiled Thursday new additions to Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland.

The expansion at Fantasyland doubled the size of the park and will include the Imagineer Princess Fairytale Hall and the Fantasy Forest and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster.

Disney said the expansion will help make guests feel like a Disney movie character.

At Princess Fairytale Hall, guests will be able to meet all of the Disney princesses.

“You don’t have to hunt around the park for them or go on a goose chase or a princess chase or whatever you want to call it, you’ll be able to go here and see the princesses and meet with them,” said spokesman Jason Grant.

The hall, which opens later this year, will have a different feel and look than Cinderella’s Castle.

“Just like you’ve gone to a palace, a real palace, there’s beautiful wood finishes, castle walls, really lush draperies,” said Grant.

The Fantasy Forest and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster are set to open in 2014.

“It will be those rolling hills and the vegetation in which they mined,” said spokesman Mark Kohl.

The roller coaster’s cars will be taken straight from the Disney classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

“You’re going to experience seven of our closest friends hard at work on millions of diamonds and gems, and that’s exciting,” said Kohl.

The addition is costing $425 million. Once it’s complete, Disney said it will add 800 jobs.

Disney Wants Modification of State Ticket Laws for Its Next-Gen Ticketing Experience

Disney to set new restrictions on new tickets

Disney to set new restrictions on new tickets

There is no doubt that fraudulent sale of attraction tickets and passes have been a major cause of concern for the leading theme parks in Florida. Over the years many such ticket scams were registered and illegal ticket brokers had been penalized. Also there were many innocent guests, who had to leave the parks disappointed for this, while the officials or administration bore the blame time and again. Yet the presence of this nefarious trade is very much active and for Disney and others, the practice has influenced the growth of so-called “criminal cottage Industries” in Florida today.

However, in an effort to discourage this illegal practice (buying & selling of used tickets), the parks have adopted strict measures like installing finger bio-metric scanners at the entrances and printing warning signs or messages on their tickets. But now Disney is on for a complete revolution. The $1 billion Next-Gen MyMagic+ system promises to take entire ticketing experience to the next level. And this has brought the necessity for Disney to ensure that the existing state ticket laws are revised to accommodate the upcoming advance systems.

According to company officials, change in the current laws is a must as ticketing systems have taken a big leap today. The use of advance technology has enabled guests to enjoy a more convenient ticketing experience far beyond the conventional printed tickets. The current state of law is not fit to support a more advanced and technologically inspired system like the magic bracelet that Disney is launching soon. As such, the company is urging the State lawmakers to rewrite the laws to include the upcoming changes in ticketing system.

For example Disney is eying for modifications in sections such as the use of the term “multiuse tickets.” Instead Disney wants to rephrase it as “any right designed for admission”. This will expand the meaning of tickets – beyond the regular printed versions and cover other forms of tickets like the new MagicBands bracelets as well. Also the Park is looking for a change in the way it exercises the power of the “non-transferable” warning (which usually come printed on plastic and paper tickets). Instead the company wants the legislation to say that the warning may be found in the company’s website from now on. For Disney it becomes impossible now to print the warning in their MagicBands from practical standpoint. Also the company is aiming to launch the band in many different and colorful versions as souvenirs for sale. Adding a warning sign to it won’t support its aesthetic objective as such.

Moreover, Walt Disney Parks had already started rolling out new plastic cards with radio-free ID chips, part of the MyMagic+ program. Annual pass holders can swap their paper passes with the advance plastic version and can avail the benefit of using the new Park Entrances for now. But eventually, the pass holders will also be able to enjoy other features such as the FastPass+ service, and the MagicBands, associated with the program once it is fully functional.

For WDW park attraction tickets and passes, including Sea World tickets and discount Universal Studios tickets you can consult authorized ticket Re-Seller The Official Ticket Center

A Timeless and Vibrant Future Awaits For Downtown Disney

Disney Tickets

A Timeless and Vibrant Future Awaits For Downtown Disney

After the recent announcement of Disney Springs by the theme-park execs, it seems the famous Downtown Disney complex couldn’t have a better future than what the upcoming mega transformation plan holds for now. The much anticipated Disney Springs project is intended to bring a complete change in both the look & feel, including the size of the existing Downtown Disney area in Lake Buena Vista.

Like the theme-parks, this most happening shopping, dining and entertainment district is also destined to change with a magical themed inspired by the turn-of-the century lakeside towns of Central Florida landscape. For the next three years fans will witness a great transformation of the area until it gets fully converted to the most exciting and imaginative setting by the waterfront which will be known as Disney Springs.

The new Disney Springs project, besides its unique and story-telling feature also promises huge expansions both in the size of the existing complex and the amount of attractions it offers. The area will be extended to encompass four outdoor neighborhoods all connected with a spring and lakefront. Disney Springs will start with the New Town Center, and from where it will spread to three additional neighborhoods – The landing, Marketplace and West Side (home of Cirque du Soleil). The new expansion will also encompass the current parking lot, and two new garages that will house a total of about 6,000 vehicles. It is also revealed that the number of shopping, dining and entertainment venues will be increased by two-fold once the project is completed. One could also expect the additions of some of the most iconic eating and entertaining brands of the world.

The upcoming expansion is no doubt the grandest expansion in the history of this ever-changing shopping, dining and entertaining destination. But for the Disney planners the ultimate objective is to provide a more vibrant and much bigger imaginative setting- where guests will have more options to shop, dine, relax and entertained without missing the homely feel.

Disney Springs is of course an imaginary re-invention of a magical Florida town which has its roots in the company’s own Sunshine State heritage. It is also believed that the new transformation will exposed visitors to a rather suburban kind of feel than the urban aura of the existing complex. Even the name Disney Springs is expected to be a fitting brand-identity to mark such a significant multi-year transformation. For me this new initiative by Disney is another out-of-the-box move in transforming a rather disjointed Downtown Disney area to a more in-depth, creative and well-connected shopping, dining and entertainment destination like never before.

For WDW park attraction tickets and passes, including Sea World tickets and discount Universal Studios tickets you can consult authorized ticket Re-Seller The Official Ticket Center

Disney Set to Master Its Digital Footprint

MyMagic+

MyMagic+

The Official Ticket Center ~ Mastering the Internet and online media is a tricky affair, and for a traditional media conglomerate like Walt Disney Co. it’s a series of challenges. The animation giant is no doubt reign supreme when it comes to the world famous Theme Parks and Animation blockbusters. But the same is not true for the company on the New Media side. Specially, in the gaming, mobile and Internet divisions the company incurs consecutive losses. However, given the recent developments, including the important official announcements of late, it seems that Disney is desperate in turning around its digital initiatives like never before. Moreover, the launched of a new Disney website last year, followed by the official disclosures of the upcoming NextGen Disney Experience project- ‘MyMagic+‘ and the announcement of the latest and most unique gaming initiative- ‘Disney Infinity‘ have shown how serious the company is in enhancing its Digital Footprint. Continue reading

Taking the Disney Guest Experience to the Next Level

At Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, we continually push the boundaries of creativity and innovation to deliver the best possible experience for our Guests. We’re always looking for ways to take what we do and do it even better.

Interactive Queues


Over the past few years, we’ve devoted considerable time and resources to create a more immersive, more seamless and more personal experience for each and every Guest who spends time with us. I know there’s been significant speculation about these efforts among our fans, so we’re pleased to give you a glimpse into the work we are doing to take the entire Disney Guest experience to the next level.

Some of these initiatives are more apparent and can already be seen by our Guests – like our interactive queues at Walt Disney World® Resort and the Enchanted Art on our cruise ships – while others are more behind-the-scenes and are focused on “how” visitors plan, access and enjoy their experiences with us. Over the next several months, we’ll be rolling out a collection of tools at the Walt Disney World Resort called MyMagic+ that will give Guests more opportunities to customize and personalize their entire visit.

Like most people who visit Walt Disney World Resort, my family and I have our “must-do” attractions, and as the father of three boys, those attractions often end with the word “mountain.” Now, rather than dashing as a group, or even splitting up to gather FastPasses, imagine booking guaranteed ride times for your favorite shows and attractions even before setting foot in the park. With MyMagic+, Guests will be able to do that and more, enabling them to spend more time together and creating an experience that’s better for everyone.

FastPass+

A major component of MyMagic+ is the new My Disney Experience website and mobile app, which gives Guests planning their trip the latest information on all Walt Disney World Resort has to offer. We know that some people like to plan every aspect of their Disney vacation in advance while others like to plan very little, letting their day unfold spontaneously. No matter where Guests fall in that spectrum, My Disney Experience gives them the flexibility to plan as much or as little as they’d like to create the exact Disney experience they want. They can book dining and other experiences and reserve times for their favorite attractions, shows and more through an enhanced FastPass system, FastPass+. Once they arrive, they can use their smart phones to spontaneously change their plans in the moment, exploring our parks at their own pace and getting the most out of their visit.

MagicBand

Linking the entire MyMagic+ experience together is an innovative piece of technology we developed called the MagicBand (or Card). It will serve as a Guest’s room key, theme park ticket, access to FastPass+ selections, PhotoPass card and optional payment account all rolled into one. We’ve began testing certain aspects of MyMagic+ in Florida last month and the early reactions we’ve gotten have been fantastic.

This collection of tools is another step forward in the ongoing evolution of our Guest experience, giving us even more ways to help friends and family create the unforgettable Disney memories that they want most. We’ll be testing, adjusting and adding features to MyMagic+ and My Disney Experience over time and will continue to make improvements based on our Guests’ feedback. We look forward to sharing more with you in the months ahead!

Interactive Queues