Busch Gardens Williamsburg is ready to officially open for the 2010 season on March 26 and visitors will be able to enjoy two brand new theme park attractions.

First, fly away with Europe in the Air, an innovative high-tech simulator ride that rockets guests past some of Europe’s most famous sights, including Stonehenge, the Eiffel Tower in France, the spectacular Alps and even the Roman Coliseum.

A second new adventure is an exciting live show designed to put you in the middle of an exciting celebration of Irish dance, music, songs and storytelling.

The two new attractions provide a unique glimpse of Europe and the emerald Isle. Of course, you can also continue to enjoy the myriad of thrill rides, attractions, shows and special events featured within Busch Gardens.

So go ahead and visit www.HistoricWilliamsburgUSA.com for complete information regarding Busch Gardens theme park tickets and other Williamsburg, VA attractions. Or simply go to www.WestgateReservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm for details about discount Williamsburg hotel and resort accommodations and discount Williamsburg vacation packages.

The Mardi Gras party keeps on rolling at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. The popular spring Mardi Gras celebration continues now through mid-April with a variety of rocking musical guests appearing each weekend. This week’s artist is the amazing Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

Her list of achievements goes on and on, including a dozen million-selling singles, 20 Number 1 R&B hits, a cover story in Time magazine, the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 15 Grammy Awards with a lifetime achievement award in 1995, and a roll in the movie, The Blues Brothers.

Now the legendary singer brings her smooth voice to the big stage at Universal Studios Florida starting at 8:30 pm on Saturday, March 13, 2010.

You can go to http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/ for additional details on Universal Studios, Mardi Gras and the many other Orlando area theme parks and attractions. Or check out the list of discount theme park tickets and money-saving Orlando vacation packages. If you would like information on discount Orlando resort and hotel lodging, you can also visit www.WestgateReservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm.

Major League Baseball is back and better than ever in Central Florida. Orlando might be the theme park capital of the world, but when it comes to Spring Training baseball, there’s no better place to catch all the Grapefruit League action.

A total of 14 different major league teams call Florida their home for spring training. As a result, baseball fans visiting Florida don’t have to look far for the next game throughout the month of March.

The Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros both feature training camps right in the greater Orlando area. The Braves play at Disney’s beautiful ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Lake Buena Vista while Astros’ fans can catch their team in nearby Kissimmee.

Just a short drive down I-4 from Orlando takes you to into Lakeland, spring training home of the Detroit Tigers. Meanwhile, there is a host of teams situated along the Gulf coast, including the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers, the New York Yankees in Tampa, the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota, the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte and the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater.

Back on the Atlantic coast side of Florida’s peninsula, you’ll find the spring training homes of the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter as well as the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie.

There’s no better way to see and interact with your favorite MLB stars up close than at a highly affordable spring training game. You can get spring training schedules of your favorite team, or for any of the Grapefruit League teams, by visiting www.MLB.com.  

For details on discount theme park tickets and discount Orlando vacation package specials, please visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com. For discount resort or hotel packages, go to www.WestgateReservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm.

The party goes on and on at Universal Studios Florida as the popular Mardi Gras celebration continues through mid-April. This week’s musical guest stara is Akon, the Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter and one of the music industry’s fastest-rising stars.

Akon’s special mix of hip-hop, R&B and rap includes a number of chart-topping hits like Lonely, I Wanna Love You, Don’t Matter and Dangerous. He’s the first artist to accomplish the feat of holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice.

A frequent guest on TV’s American Idol, Akon brings his act to Universal’s Mardi Gras at 8:30 pm on March 6, 2010.

Go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com for information on Universal Studios, Mardi Gras and other Orlando area theme parks and attractions, as well as details on discount theme park tickets and Orlando vacation packages. Or visit www.WestgateReservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm for information on discount Orlando resort and hotel lodging.

ESPN’s annual fan-fest continues this weekend (Feb. 26-27-28) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, FL.

 With 35 superstar athletes, two dozen sportscasters, live shows, special motorcades, interactive sports zone and more, it’s sure to be a fun-filled weekend for sports fans of all ages.

Don’t miss your chance to get up close and personal with stars from the NBA, NFL, major league baseball, golf and more. Plus look for all of your favorite ESPN personalities.

Of course, you’ll also enjoy a full day of fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park which offers a wide range of thrill rides, shows and other attractions.

For information on Disney’s Hollywood Studios, discount Orlando vacation packages and discount Orlando theme park tickets, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com. Or for discount Orlando resort and hotel accommodations, go to www.WestgateReservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm.

Branson, Missouri is the self-proclaimed Live Entertainment Capital of the World. And rightly so, with more than 40 theatres and nearly 100 different shows. Yet there’s one show that continues to stand alone.  Based on actual events surrounding the complicated lives of the early Ozark pioneers, The Shepherd of the Hills remains Missouri’s number one historical attraction and a show to be remembered by the entire family.  Hosted at the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theatre, the show is based on author Harold Bell Wright’s epic story of love, loss, power, hardship, and the true meaning of life. The amazing performance includes more than 80 actors, 40 horses, a flock of sheep, several guns and rifles, an actual burning log cabin, and a vintage 1908 DeWitt automobile.   Originally published in 1907, the book is one of the first million-selling publications in the U.S. and the work truly sparked the beginning of tourism in the Branson area and the beautiful Ozark Mountains. The book has been translated into 7 languages and made into 4 movies.  You can visit www.Ticket2Branson.com for more information on discount Branson show tickets and discount Branson family vacation packages. Or you can go to www.WestgateReservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm for details on discount Branson hotel and resorts accommodations.  

Legoland® Florida, slated to open in the fall of 2011 on the site of the former Cypress Gardens theme park, will feature a unique mix of attractions. The largest Legoland park in the world, the Central Florida version will feature more than 50 rides, shows, attractions as well as spectacular LEGO models and other interactive elements for the entire family.

For information about the new park and the LEGOLAND sister park already open in California, please visit www.legolandfloridaresort.com. Or you can visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com for more information on all the Orlando area theme parks and attractions as well as discount Orlando theme park tickets and discount Orlando hotels and resorts.

Located along the South Carolina Intracoastal Waterway, Barefoot Landing in Myrtle Beach combines beauty and nature with fun and a variety of entertainment options for the entire family.

Walk along the boardwalk and you’ll find migratory waterfowl, exotic fish and other wildlife that make their home at Barefoot Landing with its 27-acre lake.

Of course, you’ll also find plenty of shopping, dining and entertainment to keep you busy all day long.

A wide array of shopping offers up unique and original gifts and apparel from more than 100 specialty and retail stores and there’s a bevy of restaurant options to suit any taste.

But Barefoot Landing provides the perfect break from the beach in Myrtle Beach. You can enjoy live shows, catch the latest in big name entertainment, or even visit one of the largest reptile parks in the world at Alligator Adventure.

Additional fun can be found with the Mirror Maze where you’ll encounter more than 2,000 square feet of mirrors, endless hallways and dead ends. Or, stop by the preservation station and have your photo taken with a tiger cub.

Get more information on discount Myrtle Beach vacation options, tickets and accommodations at www.WestgateMyrtleBeach.com or visit www.westgatereservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm.

The big day is drawing near!

Universal Orlando is currently promoting special theme park vacation packages featuring the soon-to-open Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Islands of Adventure. Deals are valid for travel beginning May 28, 2010, meaning the long awaited and eagerly anticipated Harry Potter adventure should be open no later than late May.

The $200 million theme park expansion project is taking shape at the popular Orlando theme park with Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade Village as the central attractions.

For more information on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com. For details on discount theme park tickets, discount Orlando, Florida vacation packages and more, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com or www.westgatereservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm.

While best known for its never-ending list of live shows and outstanding outdoor recreation amidst the scenic area lakes, Branson Landing is one entertainment and shopping center you won’t want to miss.

A short walk from the Branson tourism district, Branson Landing features a scenic boardwalk stretching 1.5-miles along picturesque Lake Taneycomo. At the heart of the Landing is a vibrant town square that terraces down to a $7.5 million water attraction.    The spectacular display of water, fire, light and music is nothing short of dazzling. With fountains shooting 120-foot geysers and fire cannons blasting, it’s all uniquely choreographed to dancing lights and music.  The fountain spectacular takes place at the top of the hour from Noon to 10 pm Sunday through Thursday and from Noon to 11 pm Fridays and Saturdays, weather permitting.   Of course, you’ll also find 450,000 square feet of retail shopping, a huge convention center, a boutique hotel, marina and more at Branson Landing. A variety of dining options provide both fine dining and quick fare for visitors. 

For more about Branson Landing and discount Branson show tickets and discount Branson vacation packages, please visit www.Ticket2Branson.com or http://www.westgatereservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm.