Create and Save on admissions in Orlando

THE new Orlando CityPASS program, which debuted recently, lets visitors to Florida build an individualized, easy-to-use ticket to Orlando's most famous and family-friendly theme park collections: the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and LEGOLAND Florida Resort.

Designed by CityPASS, the company that has specialized in bundling discounted admission to the most iconic #attractions in 14 North American destinations for more than 20 years, the #Orlando CityPASS program allows travelers to create a custom vacation experience that comes with the added benefit of compelling #savings. 

Upon visiting the Orlando page of the CityPASS website (citypass.com/orlando), travelers can select the parks they want to include in their customized ticket and then choose the specific type of ticket and number of days. Once the selection process and payment is complete, the ticket is delivered in the language the buyer selected when first entering the CityPASS website (language options include Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish).


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Telling a story at SeaWorld

INFINITY Falls is the first attraction at SeaWorld to tell a story beyond the ocean and share a message of water conservation through the adventure of a white-water river expedition, bringing to life the company's Park to Planet mission to help guests understand some of the challenges facing the planet and inspiring them to help.

Set against a rainforest backdrop, the new attraction is the centerpiece of a newly themed area designed to resemble the base camp of explorers and scientists. After riding Infinity Falls, the entire family can explore the base camp and take part in interactive experiences that combine fun with education to learn about the importance of freshwater ecosystems and efforts being taken to make an impact in the real world.

Infinity Falls brings the thrill of white-water rafting into a new experience the family can enjoy together. Aboard 8-passenger circular rafts, riders embark on an adventure through a lush rainforest environment inspired by some of the world's most incredible freshwater ecosystems. The new attraction features dynamic drops and turns, interactive water elements, and allow guests to experience the feel of exhilarating rapids. The ride also features an innovative elevator lift designed to transport the rafts to the top of the ride's 40-foot drop.



Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK
Picture Credit: By Adog104 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72960564

Free admission for U.S. veterans

THROUGH to July 4, 2018, SeaWorld is offering U.S. veterans and up to three guests free admission to all three of its parks – SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Antonio and SeaWorld San Diego.

Since SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment started the Waves of Honor program in 2005, more than 9 million active military, veterans and their families have visited the parks for free, which represents an estimated value of $300 million.

U.S. military veterans and retirees may redeem admission for themselves and up to three guests online at www.WavesofHonor.com


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

SeaWorld Adds New Killer Whale Up-close Tour

THE Killer Whale Up-Close Tour gives guests the opportunity to meet the park’s killer whales in ways never before offered at the park. The 45-minute tour includes learning from the park’s killer whale trainers, meeting the whales and understanding their unique personalities and even taking part in an interaction with one off the whales.

During the tour, which takes place daily, SeaWorld’s trainers share stories and information about the killer whales, demonstrate how the whales take part in voluntary husbandry sessions and discuss their healthcare, feeding habits and more. The engaging and interactive tour also gives participants the chance to try their hand at a session with the whales alongside a trainer. Throughout the entire experience, guests can take photos to help forever preserve the memory of the one-of-a-kind experience.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Dolphin Days at SeaWorld Orlando

DOLPHIN Days debuted on April 1st replacing the popular Blue Horizons after an eleven-year run at Dolphin Theater. In the new presentation, the audience will learn more about the individual personalities of each Atlantic bottlenose dolphin while witnessing the special bond they share with their trainers.

Dolphin Days will also present an interactive opportunity for young guests and during each show, one lucky young volunteer will be selected from the audience to learn firsthand from the training team in an up-close encounter with one of the dolphins and a green-winged macaw.

The addition of Dolphin Days is the latest example of how SeaWorld continues to provide families with experiences that matter. The park’s new Dolphin Nursery will open in time for summer, offering an interactive educational experience for guests to see dolphins up close.

The addition of virtual reality to Kraken and the new nighttime spectacular Electric Ocean round out an exciting line-up of new attractions and shows opening this year.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Discover Dolphins

SEAWORLD Orlando’s Dolphin Nursery will become more interactive in 2017, giving guests the opportunity to get up close to mother and baby dolphins in all new ways. 

Large-scale acrylic windows will offer up close viewing, including multiple levels to give kids a face-to-face perspective with dolphin calves. New slide out areas and lifting floor will also allow for easier access to mom and baby for the veterinary and animal care teams.

The next generation of multi-purpose digital displays will allow SeaWorld educators to share information about dolphin behavior, biology and conservation with our guests by interacting with video from the team’s educational and animal care content.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Traveller-Reini flickr.com/photos/129472585@N03/15932294968 Bottlenose Dolphin, Sea World Orlando via photopin.com

Seven Seas Festival

SEAWORLD Orlando’s popular music and food events will expand to a total of 14 weekends in 2017 as part of the Seven Seas Festival. Inspired by street food from Asia, the Caribbean, South America and the Mediterranean, this expanded festival will bring new culinary offerings to guests throughout the park. Plus, guests will be able to indulge in a variety of international, local and seasonal craft brews on tap giving their taste buds a worldly delight.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Kraken Rollercoaster Ride

#SEAWORLD Orlando will debut its first digitally enhanced ride experience as the legendary #Kraken roller coaster is transformed into a virtual reality (VR) roller coaster experience. Using new technology, this thrill ride will be the only VR coaster experience in #Florida.

Guests will embark on a deep sea mission alongside sea creatures inspired by extinct and legendary animals of the past, including the mighty Kraken. A custom digital overlay with uniquely designed headsets, fully integrated both mechanically and electronically into the coaster train delivers a new one-of-a-kind adventure. 

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: LOLren flickr.com/photos/12492388@N06/5136046578 Kraken, Sea World Orlando via photopin.com

Posh Penguin

GUESTS visiting Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin at #SeaWorld #Orlando can see one penguin that does not quite look like the others. She’s wearing her very own wetsuit.

The female Adelie penguin recently experienced feather-loss, which can happen to penguins in their natural habitats and wild populations. As a result of her feather-loss, the bird had a hard time naturally regulating her body temperature. SeaWorld’s aviculture team set out to assist her and created a wetsuit to mimic her former coat of feathers. The coat was designed and sewn by SeaWorld’s wardrobe department and custom fit just for her.

While wearing her wetsuit the penguin swims, sleeps and eats alongside her fellow penguins.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: © SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

New in Orlando

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT – At Universal's Islands of Adventure "Skull Island: Reign of Kong" will honour one of the most monumental figures in movie history, King Kong. Guests will board off-road vehicles and explore ancient temple structures while encountering hostile natives and fending off unspeakable terrors. 

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT – Epcot guests can cool off in the kingdom of Arendelle when the "Frozen Ever After" attraction opens in the Norway Pavilion. The family adventure set in the magical world of "Frozen" will feature the popular story of the royal sisters, hit songs, and new technology for an icy trek.

 

SEAWORLD ORLANDO – Thrill-seekers have a new challenge: "#Mako," a 200-foot-tall coaster. Named for one of the ocean's fastest known sharks, it will be Orlando's tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster, reaching speeds of 73 mph along 4,760 feet of track.

LEGOLAND FLORIDA RESORT – As Central #Florida heats up, guests can cool off at Creative Cove at LEGOLAND Water Park, where young visitors can build and race their own LEGO boats. 

www.VisitOrlando.com

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Metal detectors go up at the Magic Kingdom

ALL three major #Orlando #themeparks have installed metal detectors at their entry gates, the Orlando Sentinel reports. 

Walt Disney World would not say how long its metal detectors would be in place. SeaWorld said it had installed the devices as part of improved security for the holidays. Universal Orlando said it was testing them as guests approach the theme parks.

Security in general has been a major concern following the recent terrorist murders attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California. At #Disney, last weekend a man was arrested by police officers who said he had attempted to take a gun into the Magic Kingdom.

Disney World is also discontinuing the sale of toy guns and banning people 14 and older from wearing costumes – even at Halloween parties. More deputies and security guards have been visible at the resort, and guard dogs have been seen in key areas. 

Disneyland in California, too, will get the devices.

‘We continually review our comprehensive approach to security and are implementing additional security measures as appropriate,’ Disney said in a statement.

Universal spokesman Tom Schroder said in an e-mail: ‘We want our guests to feel safe when they come here. We've long used metal detection for special events, such as Halloween Horror Nights. This test is a natural progression for us as we study best practices for security in today's world.’ 

SeaWorld said in an e-mail it would be ‘enhancing security measures for the busy holiday season, including increased security presence both inside and outside the parks’.
Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/76252460@N05/10862918914">Spin</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/51442732@N03/6146999266">Mickey Peeks Through [Explore]</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)

SeaWorld California to phase out killer whale displays

#SEAWORLD #CALIFORNIA is to phase out controversial public displays by killer whales. Chief executive, Joel Manby, announced that 2017 will be the last year of the show in San Diego. 

He said that the move was part of a strategy that seeks to reverse falling visitor numbers at the company's 11 parks across the US. The company has faced intense criticism by animal rights activists who say keeping the whales in captivity is cruel and unnecessary.

The company’s shares have halved in value since the release of a critical documentary film, Blackfish, two years ago.

Displays by killer whales are the centrepiece at three parks operated by SeaWorld, in California, Florida, and Texas.

A SeaWorld spokesman told the BBC that the changes reflect ‘input received’ in San Diego. ‘It does not affect our other parks,’ he added.

The company yesterday announced ‘a new approach’ to in-park activities with a focus on veterinary care and animal rescue operations.

Mr Manby added: ‘We hope that experiencing animals in our parks moves our guests to a deeper understanding of the plight of all animals – and an increasingly threatened natural environment – and inspires those guests to help conserve the world we share.’

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8566600@N07/2367402838">IMG_3937</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

SeaWorld to open Orlando’s fastest rollercoaster

OPENING next summer is #Mako, a 200-foot hypercoaster that will reach speeds of up to 73 mph along 4,760 feet of steel track, leaving riders feeling both breathless and weightless.

The ride, which will open at #SeaWorld Orlando, will be the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in Orlando.

Mako’s tight turns and speed are inspired by one of the ocean’s fastest sharks. 

Mako sharks, also called blue pointers, are known for their top speed, making extreme jumps, and the ability to quickly change course as they pursue their prey.

‘On Mako, you’ll experience what it’s like to be this apex predator, surging through the water at top speed and chasing prey across a massive reef,’ said Brian Morrow, SeaWorld’s creative director. ‘It will be a wild mix of fear, thrills, and fun.’

seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Kraken at SeaWorld Orlando by Jeremy Thompson from United States of America - SeaWorld Orlando 309Uploaded by Themeparkgc. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

SeaWorld Florida makes conservation charity pledge

THEME PARK giant SeaWorld is to make donations to conservation charities from the UK sale of special ‘extras’ tickets to its parks in Florida.

The company’s treatment of killer whales has been highlighted in the wake of a 2013 film, Blackfish, which criticized SeaWorld.

The company says that SeaWorld Parks Extras tickets are to be offered for sale in the UK, including additional in-park dining packages and quick queue tickets.

For every in-park ticket sold at the company’s Florida parks – including SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa and Discovery Cove – $2 will be donated to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, which will then go to UK conservation charities.

The donations will help raise additional funds for wildlife via the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, which has raised more $11 million in 11 years.

SeaWorld said the money raised will go directly to charity as the company pays all administrative costs.

The fund has supported 800 wildlife conservation projects across the globe since it was established in 2003, from tracking the migration of penguins in the Antarctica peninsula to funding anti-poaching technology to protect rhinos in South Africa. It has also supported worldwide initiatives led by UK organizations including the Zoological Society of London and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: "Sea World Sky Tower Panorama" by Debarguy - Own work via Wikimedia Commons