About Florida Travel

Celebrate Thanksgiving In the Jungle

2009-11-19T14:48:57Z

Jungle Island, South Florida's wildest attraction, is offering an all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving Day Buffet at the Lakeside Cafe from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and a FREE day of fun in the Jungle! Buffet selections include oven roasted turkey, whipped potatoes, baked Virginia ham, stuffing, seasonal fruit pies and more. They will even serve all the Little Pilgrims favorites!

The Buffet is just $19.95 for adults and $15.95 for children (3-10) and includes admission to Jungle Island. Special annual passport holder price is just $15.95 for adults and $11.95 for children (3-10). Teachers, military and veterans are FREE when accompanied by their family.

Advance purchase is required and may be reserved online at www.junglisland.com/thanksgiving by Tuesday, November 24, 2009. Taxes are not included. Free pricing only applies to teachers, active-duty military service member, reservist or veteran and valid identification must be shown to receive the complimentary meal.

If you won't be in South Florida to take advantage of this great Thanksgiving Day adventure, here are a few other suggestions:

Celebrate Thanksgiving In the Jungle originally appeared on About.com Florida Travel on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 14:48:57.

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It's Snowing at Disney's Magic Kingdom

2009-11-16T19:05:40Z

The weather outside is hardly frightful, but even in Florida, no holiday celebration would be complete without snow. At Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party there is a 100 percent chance of flurries in the Magic Kingdom on Main Street, U.S.A. each party night!

Of course, there is plenty of magic as well, with Disney characters in their holiday best for meet-and-greets, complimentary cocoa and cookies, special holiday entertainment including the enchanting Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and a nighttime fireworks spectacular. Also enjoy the most popular Magic Kingdom attractions during the evening.

The magical snow is predicted to fall on 18 select nights — now through December 18. A special admission ticket is required and many nights sell out in advance, so purchase your tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party today!

More Disney World Holiday Festivities:

^{Photo © Walt Disney Company}

It's Snowing at Disney's Magic Kingdom originally appeared on About.com Florida Travel on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 19:05:40.

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Saturday's Forecast: ICE!

2009-11-13T13:44:20Z

While temperatures in Orlando are expected in the 80s tomorrow, inside the Gaylord Palms Resort they will be a chilly nine degrees for the opening of ICE! — one of the nation's coolest and most spectacular holiday displays. Hand-carved from nearly two-million pounds of ice, this year's chill-seekers will take a trip to the North Pole — a whimsical adventure featuring interactive environments and larger-than-life, three-dimensional ice monuments and sculptures that include an encounter with Old Man Winter and stepping inside a Christmas Carnival, complete with a life-sized carousel!

What a great way to enjoy the holidays with your family! Gaylord Palms' ICE! will be open to the public beginning tomorrow — Saturday, November 14, 2009 and will chill crowds through January 3, 2010. Tickets are available online now and are the cheapest when purchased in advance. | Details |

^{Photo of ICE! Entrance Igloo © Gaylord Palms Resort}

Saturday's Forecast: ICE! originally appeared on About.com Florida Travel on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 13:44:20.

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Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

2009-11-11T00:34:27Z

An amazing story of Christmas magic comes alive every year at Disney's Hollywood Studios as the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights sparkles throughout the backlot of the park. Beginning tonight and continuing through January 4, 2010, millions of tiny bulbs, miles of rope lights, over a hundred sparkling angels and snow machines are all in place and set to dazzle the thousands of visitors expected at the park this holiday season.

| Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Photo Tour |

Plan your trip to Disney World:

^{Photo © The Walt Disney Company}

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights originally appeared on About.com Florida Travel on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 00:34:27.

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FREE Wedding Package Giveaway

2009-11-06T19:15:35Z

If you've always dreamed of a Florida wedding, but didn't think it would fit in your budget... think again. Celebrating its grand opening this month, The Resort at MarinaVillage is giving away a FREE wedding package for 60 guests that will include: the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, officiant, photographer, videographer, florals, DJ, reception, wedding cake and a three-night, four-day stay in a premium suite at the resort.

What do you have to do to win? Simply submit a video, before December 1, 2009, about you and your fianc� that includes how you met, the proposal and why you would like to get married at The Resort at MarinaVillage next November 2010. Find additional entry information and official rules at www.MarinaVillageResort.com/dreamwedding. The lucky couple will be announced December 31, 2009. Good luck!

If you're not getting married, but are in the market for a great deal on a getaway, The Resort at MarinaVillage, a SunStream property, located at Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral will be opening this month — just in time for a holiday or end-of-the-year getaway. A variety of grand opening rates are now available, along with the SunStream promise of no resort or parking fees. Pets are also welcome. The resort is the area's first full-service luxury resort, offering richly appointed accommodations in its studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom residences. Guest rooms combine hotel and residential condominium living with grand rooms, master suites, guest suites, dining terraces and access to amenity decks. Amenities from boat slips to waterfront dining and shopping and an Esterra Spa & Salon, SunStream's signature spa, will be among the resort's select offerings.

^{Photo © SunStream Hotels & Resorts}

FREE Wedding Package Giveaway originally appeared on About.com Florida Travel on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 19:15:35.

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Price Hike for SeaWorld & Busch Gardens

2009-11-06T01:11:36Z

While daily admission for SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay just got more expensive, the Florida resident Fun Card will remain the same price if purchased online. This will make it less than the cost of a single day's admission to either park. Check online pricing at each park for more information.

Regular one-day admission to SeaWorld Orlando is now $78.95 for adults and $68.95 for children ages 3-9. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay one-day admission is $74.95 for adults and $64.95 for children ages 3-9. The Fun Card for either one park is $69.95 for adults and children when purchased online (purchased at the front gate they are the same price as an adult single-day admission).

Other ticket combination options are available that include two or more parks for savings on multi-day visits.

^{SeaWorld Orlando's Kraken Photo © SeaWorld Orlando}

Price Hike for SeaWorld & Busch Gardens originally appeared on About.com Florida Travel on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 01:11:36.

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Ponte Vedra Food & Wine Fest

2009-11-04T23:59:07Z

A three day celebration of food and wine will take place in Ponte Vedra Beach this weekend at the Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa. The 8th annual Ponte Vedra Food & Wine Fest will feature opportunities to savor dishes prepared by some of the area's finest chefs and restaurants and to taste hundreds of wines from around the world.

Three events highlight the weekend:

Friday, November 6 - Una Noche Especial, a celebration of Argentinean food, wine and specialties in a four-course tasting menu. A silent auction will include a trip to Argentina. Advance tickets are $95.00. Call 904-285-2004 for availability.
Saturday, November 7 - Grand Tasting, with over 145 international and domestic wine and champagnes plus samplings of signature dishes from ten area gourmet and specialty restaurants. A silent auction will feature exquisite wines paired with weekend getaways, gourmet dining and more. Advance tickets are $45.00 or $50.00 at the door.
Sunday, November 8 - A four-course Champagne Brunch accompanied by fine wines. Event is available by advance $65.00 purchase only.

Attend all three events with a combo ticket for $175.00. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information visit www.PonteVedraWineFest.com.

^{Photo © Janis Christie/Getty Images}

Ponte Vedra Food & Wine Fest originally appeared on About.com Florida Travel on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 23:59:07.

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It's the Newest Ticket at Disney World

2009-11-03T11:07:42Z

Florida residents can put a little magic into their weekdays with Disney World's newest ticket — the Disney Weekday Select Pass. Now Florida residents can visit all four Disney World theme parks on weekdays — Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays — for less than a dollar a day. Additionally, Florida residents will be able to take advantage of special Passholder discounts, Passholder-only events and exclusive Passholder newsletters.

Prices for the Disney Weekday Select Pass are $169 (plus tax) for ages 10 and up and $149 (plus tax) for ages 3-9. Proof of Florida residency is required. Passes are not transferable and valid for one year from date of issuance. Block-out days apply — all Saturdays and Sundays; December 19, 2009 to January 1, 2010; March 27 to April 7, 2010; June 12 to August 19, 2010; and, December 18, 2010 to January 1, 2011.

| More Disney World Ticket Information |

It's the Newest Ticket at Disney World originally appeared on About.com Florida Travel on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 11:07:42.

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Safety Harbor Wine Festival

2009-11-02T18:30:54Z

Food, wine and music will highlight the 8th Annual Safety Harbor Wine Festival this Saturday — November 7, 2009 — in Safety Harbor, a charming town nestled along the northernmost shores of Tampa Bay. The festival will take place on Main Street between Bayshore Boulevard and 8th Avenue from 5:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.

Included in the night's festivities are three stages of local Jazz, Rock, Blues and R&B bands; and, along Main Street, over 40 Fine Arts and Crafts vendors will be displaying their wares.

While admission and parking are free, wines will be $3 to $5 per glass. Beer will also be available. Proper ID is required. Proceeds will benefit local civic and charitable organizations. Safe Rides Home will be available to anyone interested all night.

Safety Harbor Wine Festival originally appeared on About.com Florida Travel on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 18:30:54.

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It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas at Disney World!

2009-11-01T05:00:14Z

Cecil Gordon of Walt Disney World Holiday Services is seen here touching up the face of a six-foot-tall angel tree-topper inside one of the vacation kingdom's holiday warehouses. The angel will eventually make its way to the top of the giant Christmas tree at Epcot during the holiday season. Behind-the-scenes at Disney World, Gordon and his colleagues are currently on round-the-clock schedules preparing 150 tractor-trailer truckloads of decorations for the 40-square-mile property that includes 24 resorts, four theme parks and Downtown Disney. That's more than 1,500 Christmas trees to be set in place, 15 miles of garland to be strung, 44 snow machines to be tested, at last count 1,314 wreaths to be hung, 10 miles of twinkling rope lights and 8.5-million lights to be strung... all before the holiday season begins next month.

Some of those holiday festivities begin as early as November 10, with tickets now on sale for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. Although no special ticket is required, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios will turn on the switch for its spectacular display the same date!

Let's take a peek at what's happening "around the world" this holiday:

And, find more Disney World holiday information — the dates of Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade at Disney's Animal Kingdom and when you can meet Santa at Downtown Disney — within Disney World Holidays 2009.

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas at Disney World! originally appeared on About.com Florida Travel on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 05:00:14.

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