Guests at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park holding special Universal Orlando Resort hotel package deals were allowed into the park’s new Wizarding World of Harry Potter area earlier today.

Those guests were among the first to enjoy the new and highly secretive ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The ride, housed inside the signature Hogwarts castle, takes passengers on a virtual fly-along with Potter characters through various adventures and includes encounters with Dementors, dragons and a Quidditch match.

The official Grand Opening of the $200 million Wizarding World is scheduled for June 18, 2010.

With 60 miles of beautiful beach along the coast of South Carolina, the Grand Strand has long drawn hordes of visitors eager to experience the sun, sand, surf and excitement of the Myrtle Beach area.Myrtle Beach also offers a wide variety of outdoor sports ranging from golfing, boating, fishing and parasailing to snorkeling, scuba diving and more.

Whether you are a novice or an expert, anyone can enjoy a fabulous day of fishing on a chartered boat in Myrtle Beach. Fishing offers a great break from the beach routine, especially if you choose a deep sea expedition that can last anywhere from a few hours to overnight if you want to fish the gulf stream. Fresh grouper, flounder, sea bass and other exciting fishing is possible on a deep sea excursion.

Those who prefer to stay closer to shore can also fish in the intracoastal waterways, or simply experience the excitement of a jet ski or a banana boat ride.

For more information on a Myrtle Beach vacation and a wide range of attractions and activities, go to http://www.westgatemyrtlebeach.com/. Or visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/ for discount resort accommodations at Westgate Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa as well as discount Myrtle Beach vacation packages.

This is it… your last chance. This weekend marks the end of the 2010 version of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL.

It’s your last opportunity to see the dramatic topiaries such as the American Gothic Mickey and Minnie near the entrance to World Showcase. It’s your last chance to see the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden and Butterfly House with Tinker Bell and her fairy friends. And it’s your final chance to see the green wall, a large wall featuring a fountain and a variety of greenery.

The weekend festivities also conclude this year’s Flower Power Concert Series. The final musical guest artist is Chubby Checker who performs Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 pm in the American Gardens outdoor theatre.

For more highlights of Epcot and Walt Disney World Resort, please visit http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/. Or go to http://www.westgatereservations.com/ for details on discount Orlando vacation packages and resort lodging at Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa.

The 29^th Annual Gatlinburg Scottish Festival and Games will be held in Gatlinburg, VA this weekend, May 15-16. Official weekend festivities begin with a parade down the Parkway in Gatlinburg at 6 p.m. on May 14.On Saturday and Sunday beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Mills Park, the Scottish Games will feature professional and amateur athletes competing in a variety of events such as tossing the Scottish haggis, turning the caber, Highland wrestling and the manhood stones.

Musical guests Cutthroat Shamrock, Colin Grant-Adams, Albannach and Thistledown Tinkers are among the featured entertainment during this popular two-day festival.

The events will also feature an assortment of Pipe and Drum Bands competing in individual and band events, competition of dozens of Highland dancers from across the country and border collie demonstrations.

For details on Gatlinburg discount vacation packages and lodging such as the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit http://www.gatlinburgvacationstore.com/.

A crowning moment awaits!

The 2010 MISS USA^® competition returns to Las Vegas LIVE from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Sunday, May 16^th.

The annual pageant, which features contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, will be held at the Theatre for the Performing Arts located at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

Miss USA 2009, Kristen Dalton will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour competition that will also be telecast. Each contestant will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview.

For details on Las Vegas discount vacation packages, you can go to www.VegasVacationStore.com. Or for more information on Planet Hollywood Resort or the new PH Towers by Westgate in Las Vegas, please visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

 One of the nation’s longest-running and most popular game shows is coming to Orlando this summer.

Famous for the phrase, “survey says”… Family Feud is moving its production studio from Las Angeles to a new home at Universal Orlando Resort. In addition to the change in venue, the show will also welcome a new host in entertainer Steve Harvey.

The game show is expected to film 165 episodes from July thru September on Sound Stage 19 at Universal Orlando Resort. The episodes will be staged on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Family Feud will produce four to eight episodes a day.

You don’t have to be a theme park guest to watch the tapings. Currently, there are 22 taping dates scheduled between July and September, 2010. Access to the studio will be available through Universal CityWalk for those not visiting the theme park.

Family Feud is one of the most familiar game shows since Richard Dawson originally hosted it in the 1970s. The current version of the show has been running 11 years in syndication and airs weekdays at 10 a.m. ET.

Universal Orlando will play up Family Feud in promotions to bring more guests to the resort, said Pamela Tuscany, vice president of production.
For more information on Family Feud, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com. For details on the Universal theme parks and discount Orlando vacation packages and tickets, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

The Original Wailers, featuring Al Anderson and Junior Marvin, will perform at Universal CityWalk during its annual reggae celebration Saturday, May 15 in Orlando, FL.

The late Bob Marley and the Wailers sold more than 250 million albums worldwide with such hit songs such as “Get Up, Stand Up” and “One Love.”

Saturday’s reggae party, A Tribute to Freedom, at Bob Marley’s within Universal Orlando CityWalk is scheduled to run from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and includes live music and authentic Jamaican food.

Admission to Bob Marley’s is free before 6 p.m., but a $15 cover charge will be assessed after that point. There’s also a $25 VIP ticket available that includes upstairs access, drink specials, an appetizer buffet from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and free admission to other select CityWalk clubs.

Go to http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/ for details on Universal Orlando theme park, Universal CityWalk and discount Orlando family vacation packages.

Some of the most special Disney moments don’t come within Orlando’s famous Disney World theme parks. Rather, some special moment occur at Disney’s wonderful character meals.Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner at Disney’s spectacular Grand Floridian Resort is one such event that is sure to bring smiles and memories to your little princess.

The delicious meal features Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia and Drizella all making their rounds to greet dinner guests. While the mean stepmother and her daughters stay in character while meeting the kids in attendance, they offer a lot of laughs. Meanwhile, Cinderella also comes out several times to dance with Prince Charming. The dashing and handsome prince also finds time to dance with many of the little guest princesses.

The restaurant is beautifully decorated with an old-time amusement park theme that includes statues of carousel animals. The centerpiece is Big Bertha, a turn-of-the-century, fancifully designed organ from France that gives concerts while you dine. The instrument simultaneously plays pipes, drums, bells, cymbals, castanets and a xylophone.

While the character meals are as much about the experience as the dining, the food is delightful, plentiful and varied, with offerings ranging from prime rib to strawberry soup.

Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner costs $35.99 plus tax for adults and $17.99 plus tax for children ages 3 to 9. For more information about Walt Disney World Resort and discount Orlando family vacation packages, visit http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/.

If you didn’t get your fill of great music and spectacular concerts during the long-running Mardi Gras celebration at Universal Studios, don’t worry - there’s more music to come this summer.

The Summer Concert Series at Universal Studios brings six more exciting nights of exciting concerts to the Orlando theme park.

The Summer Concert Series runs every Saturday from June 12 through July 17 with concerts starting at 9 pm except the the July 3 show which starts at 8 pm. Best of all, the concerts are included with your regular Universal Studios admission.

Scheduled performers include:

June 12       Train

June 19       Pitbull

June 26       Earth Wind & Fire

July 3           Pat Benetar & REO Speedwagon

July 10         Rob Thomas

July 17         Counting Crows

For more information about Universal Studios discount tickets or discount Orlando family vacation packages, please visit http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with FREE Admission to Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, FL.The central Florida attraction will feature carillon concerts being performed on the Singing Tower at 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 9.

The “Faces, Events & Places” art exhibit by Owen Jolly and “Fertile Ground” sculpture exhibit by William Kidd will also be on display in the Garden’s Visitor Center through May 27, 2010.

For information, on this and other Orlando area attractions, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.