Another Disney favorite is returning.

Disney’s Summer Nightastic! celebration included the return of Disney’s popular Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom. Now get ready for another blast from the past at Epcot.

On July 2, Disney re-opens the musical 3-D sci-fi movie, Captain EO, starring the late Michael Jackson.

The 17-minute film which originally ran at Epcot from 1986 to 1994, will take over the Imagination Pavilion’s 570-seat theatre that had housed, “Honey I Shrunk the Audience.”

The 3-D movie was among the first films to incorporate 4-D effects like wind, water and lighting. In its return, the movie will have only minor tweaks from its original version. Even the show’s original marquee sign is being utilized. 

Epcot will open its gates early at 8:30 am on July 2 for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. Captain EO co-stars Anjelica Huston and features two Jackson songs and plenty of high energy dancing. For more information regarding Epcot and Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, visit http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/.

 SeaWorld Orlando is ready to put a little more flare into its Independence Day events.

The theme park will add more live music to its SeaWorld AfterDark events in honor of America’s birthday celebration. Prior to the July 4 showing of “Reflections,” a fireworks-and-fountains presentation, the 13th Army Band of the Florida National Guard will perform on the stage at Bayside Stadium. The 40-piece band is expected to provide both classic and contemporary musical selections.

After the music, the park’s traditional fireworks show will be extended for the evening and include a patriotic stretch.

In addition to fireworks, SeaWorld offers lots of other “AfterDark” fun, including the “Shamu Rocks” killer whale show and the comedic “Sea Lions Tonite” show. It’s all part of SeaWorld’s summer fun and it’s all included with regular SeaWorld admission. For more park details, please visit www.seaworldorlando.com.

SeaWorld’s sister park, Tampa’s Busch Gardens, also offers up some Independence Day extras. Fireworks will go up on both July 3 and July 4, and the park will remain open until 10 p.m. See www.buschgardens.com for more information.

Or go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com for discount theme park tickets and discount Orlando vacation package options.

The best of Broadway is waiting for you in Branson, Missouri.

Nestled in the heart of Missouri’s Ozark Mountains, Branson is the self proclaimed live entertainment capital of the world. And for good reason, as Branson offers more live show seating than New York’s Broadway district.

Now you can get the best of both worlds with the Branson show, Broadway! A Star Spangled Celebration.

The glamorous, high-energy show takes you on a fast paced musical journey to New York City to experience Broadway’s most popular musicals of all time. With powerful dance numbers and a dazzling cast of singers and dancers in glittering costumes, the show features nearly forty musical arrangements from more than 25 different Broadway classics. Enjoy highlights from 42nd Street, Cats, Guys and Dolls, Cabaret, Grease, A Chorus Line, Les Miserables, Chicago, Mame and The Music Man, and others.

With more than 40 theatres and over 100 live shows, there’s never a lack of fun, quality and family-friendly entertainment in Branson. For discount show tickets, visit http://www.ticket2branson.com/. Or for Branson hotel and resort accommodations and discount Branson vacation packages, go to http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

With the recent opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal has unveiled its latest epic ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ^TM at Islands of Adventure.

The Harry Potter ride experience begins well before you actually reach the ride itself. The queue line takes you into Hogwarts castle where you’ll make your way through some of the familiar classrooms and corridors of Hogwarts^TM School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

You’ll visit a variety of iconic locations from the Harry Potter movies, such as Dumbledore’s office, the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, the Gryffindor^TM common room, the Room of Requirement and more. Finally, you’ll reach the actual ride portion of the adventure. Uniqueand groundbreaking robotic benches will take you soaring above the castle grounds as you join Harry, Ron and Hermione on an unforgettably thrilling escapade.

Along the way, you’ll come face-to-face with an array of magical creatures and events. Riders will visit the Forbidden Forest, travel through the middle of a Quidditch match and even have all-to-close run-ins with dragons and Dementors.

For information on Universal’s Islands of Adventure and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, go to http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/. Or visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/ for discount hotel and resort accommodations or discount Orlando vacation package deals.

The new Wizarding World of Harry Potter is stealing all the headlines these days, but there’s another world renowned show also ready to grab your attention at Universal Orlando Resort.

So while the crowds are squeezing into Hogwarts castle and sipping on Butter Beer, now is a great time to take a break from the theme park fun and instead experience the wild and wacky antics of Blue Man Group. The show is full of live music, side-splitting humor, audience interaction, original musical instruments, multimedia theatrics and paint; lots and lots of paint!

Sit down and buckle up for a show that is jam packed with the Blue Man Group’s unique and witty style of entertainment, providing a totally outrageous experience for all.

After the amazing Blue Man Group party, you can also enjoy free admission to select Universal CityWalk® venues with the presentation of your Blue Man Group ticket stub.

For more information on Universal Orlando Resort and discount ticket options, visit http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/.

If you can’t be part of the fun in person at Universal Orlando on June 18 for the official Grand Opening of the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you can still witness the excitement.Universal Orlando is providing live streaming of the grand opening ceremonies at Islands of Adventure theme park from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

To watch the live coverage at Wizarding World, go to www.UniversalOrlando.com/HarryPotterNews and click on the “Live feed” link.

For additional details on the Wizarding World and Universal Orlando tickets and discount vacation packages, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

Meanwhile, for those who prefer music over magic, it’s also a great time to head over to Universal Studios for the continuation of the Summer Concert Series on Saturday night.

The featured musical guest for June 19 is Pitbull who takes the Universal stage at 9 pm. The live concert is included with regular theme park admission.

The Summer Concert Series continues through July 17. Next week’s featured musical guest is Earth, Wind & Fire.

Music is in the air. At least it will be starting Saturday night at Universal Orlando.

The Universal Orlando Summer Concert Series kicks off June 12 at Universal Studios Florida with featured musical guest, Train.  It’s the first in a series of Saturday night concerts slated throughout the summer season. Other performers scheduled include Pitbull, Earth, Wind & Fire, Rob Thomas, Pat Benetar and REO Speedwagon, as well as Counting Crows.

For details, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com. Or for more information on discount Universal theme park tickets and Orlando vacation packages, go to www.Orlandothemeparkvacations.com.

Branson is a quaint little town nestled in the heart of Missouri’s Ozark Mountains. But what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in entertainment and adventure.The Branson/Lakes Area offers vacationers an all-encompassing opportunity to experience the finest in family entertainment. From neon to nature, there’s something for everyone. You can hike or bike around sparkling Table Rock Lake, fish a secluded cove in search of trophy bass, tee off at a championship golf course, scream with delight on an exhilarating roller coaster, splash around at the area’s largest water park, or simply sing along with one of the many stars who make live entertainment a fixture in Branson.

Wherever you go in Branson, you can expect good, clean fun.  Branson’s unique commitment to family values ensures that every member of the family can enjoy virtually every activity in town. Branson offers a special opportunity for kids, parents and grandparents to all vacation together.

For information on Branson lodging and discount Branson vacation packages and show tickets, please visit www.Ticket2Branson.com.

 A little taste of the outback is coming to central Florida. It’s all part of a new Australian-themed area at Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa.Opening June 14, 2010, Walkabout Way features a number of Australian animals including kangaroos which can be hand-fed by guests aged 5 or older. The kangaroo exhibit, called Kangaloom, includes both red and grey kangaroos as well as Bennett’s wallabies. Park visitors can purchase a cup of kangaroo food for $5 during scheduled feeding times.

Another new area, called The Kookaburra’s Nest, includes a free-flight aviary. Other Australian species such as cockatoos and Australian parrots, can be found at Aussie Station.

The new Walkabout Way exhibit is part of regular admission at Busch Gardens. For details, visit www.buschgardens.com. For information on theme parks and discount Orlando vacation packages, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

It’s almost time for another Velvet Sessions at Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando. The popular rock ‘n’ roll cocktail party is held the last Thursday of every month (excluding November and December).This month’s featured artist is Everclear, best known for songs like “Everything to Everyone” and “Wonderful.” The Universal Orlando Resort hotel event begins at 6:30 pm on June 24, 2010.

Advance admission is available for $25 online and includes specialty cocktails, finger foods and the concert held in the Hard Rock Hotel’s lobby lounge and Velvet Bar. Parking is free.

Each Velvet Sessions event showcases a different type of beverage theme while past  performers have included Joan Jett, The Tubes, Eddie Mondy, The Romantics, The Fixx, Foreigner, ABC and others.

For more information, go to http://www.velvetsessions.com/. For details on discount Orlando vacation packages and Universal Orlando theme park tickets, go to http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/.