With the busy spring and summer season just ahead, Orlando’s major theme parks have been eagerly announcing everything from new rides and attractions to new parades. Now Wet ‘n Wild Water Park is also jumping in feet first, announcing the development of an all new giant water playground set to open this summer.

The park’s first new attraction in four years, the tropical, one-acre water playground is geared to younger children and will include a 60-foot high sand castle, two splash pools, 17 slides and more than 100 soakers, jets, waterfalls and water cannons.  

Wet ‘n Wild is fully loaded with thrill rides and slides for the more adventurous. The tamer water playground is right in step with other central Florida theme parks that cater to the younger crowd.

Recently opened Legoland Florida, a park designed for 2- to 12-year-olds, just announced its own new water park area. Meanwhile SeaWorld Orlando is hosting a “Just for Kids” festival this month.  

For information on the new attraction, visit www.wetnwildorlando.com. Or for discount theme park tickets and discount accommodations at nearby Westgate Resorts properties, go to www.westgatereservations.com

Great Smoky Mountain National Park remains the most visited national park in the nation. While a vast majority of its more than 9 million annual visitors arrive in the summer and fall color seasons, winter offers up a unique opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts.

That’s especially true for those who enjoy winter sports activities. Ski season opened at Gatlinburg’s popular Ober Mountain on Jan. 3.

Ober Gatlinburg features nine trails serviced by two quad lifts, one double lift and one surface lift. The Resort also offers terrain for all abilities, from beginners experiencing snow sports for the first time, to seasoned experts headed to the moguls and the terrain park.  

Snow tubing is another popular activity at Ober Gatlinburg in addition to skiing, snowboarding and ice skating.

For more information about Ober Gatlinburg, the aerial tramway, restaurants, shops and more, visit www.obergatlinburg.com/. Or if you would like to learn more about discount Gatlinburg resort accommodations and vacation packages, go to http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Central Florida’s newest theme park, Legoland Florida, is already making a big splash with its core audience of young children aged 2-12. But that splash will get even bigger this summer when Legoland opens a new water park element.

Legoland was built on the grounds of the former Cypress Gardens. Now the new park is utilizing the former Splash Island area and infrastructure to create a kid friendly water park.

The new water attraction will feature a Lego Wave Pool offering up a kinder and gentler wave experience rather than the giant waves found at other Orlando area water parks. The back of the wave pool will include bright Lego colored tiles and a number of three-foot-tall Lego figurines. Meanwhile, the front of the pool will offer up a Lego Imagination Station where children can create using oversized, spongy Lego blocks.

Other water park features will include a Build a Raft lazy river that allows kids a chance to decorate their inner tube with giant Lego bricks; the Duplo Splash Safari, a shallow pool with giant Duplo animals geared to kids age 5 and younger; the Joker Soaker, an aquatic jungle gym with a 300-gallon bucket that dumps water regularly; a restaurant, changing rooms and more.

For added thrills, the water park will offer the Twin Chasers, an enclosed, dueling tube water slide and Splash Out, another high speed ride with three slides and 60-foot drops.

Water park tickets are an option only available in addition to the regular Legoland Florida admission. The cost is an additional $12 for ages 3 and older and $3 more for 2-year-olds and younger. (Regular theme park admission is $75 general, $65 ages 3-12.)

The excitement just keeps on building at Orlando’s world famous theme parks. It seems you never have to wait long for one of Orlando’s top parks to announce something new. This time it’s Universal Orlando that’s ready to make its next big splash.

The theme park announced a variety of new attractions set to open in 2012, including a new parade, an after-dark show, a new Blue Man Group show and more.

The new attractions should help Universal Studios regain some of the traffic it lost to sister park Islands of Adventure when it opened up the highly popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010.

The new “Universal’s Superstar Parade” becomes the park’s first daily parade event. The interactive parade will stop to allow characters, dancers and performers a chance to engage with spectators. Highlights include large floats, street performers and characters from “Dispicable Me,” “Dora the Explorer,” “SpongeBob Squarepants” and “Hop.”

Universal is also expanding its nighttime fun by adding “Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Moments.” The end of the night event on the theme park’s lagoon offers a salute to Universal Pictures based on a movie history projected on both sides of a series of 30-foot by 30-foot waterfall curtains. The show also includes lasers, pyrotechnics, fountains and a special narration by actor Morgan Freeman.

Other new attractions at Universal include a revised Blue Man Group show and two new miniature golf courses at Universal CityWalk. Later this summer, the park will open a new attraction based on the film “Dispicable Me” called Dispicable Me Minion Mayhem. The park is also introducing new high tech adjustments to its popular Spider-Man ride such as some re-animation and a more vivid high definition projection system.

For information on discount Orlando theme park tickets and discount Orlando family vacation packages, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

There’s something about the magic of Disney World that keeps people coming back for more. And for those who simply can’t get enough of the magic, Disney offers a variety of extra separate ticket tours that go beyond the average day in a theme park.

Disney’s Backstage Magic Tour

You don’t have to be a Disney employee to discover some of the secrets behind the magic of Walt Disney World Resort. Disney’s Backstage Magic Tour offers an inside look at some of the creative and technical operations utilized behind the scenes. This is a unique opportunity to see how Disney utilizes innovative special effects to create world-class entertainment while bringing elaborate attractions to life.

At Epcot, the tour reveals some of the details that make The American Adventure such a popular attraction. Tour guests will also get a different view of Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom when guided through a hidden world - the park’s legendary underground “Utilidor” tunnel system.

After a family-style lunch at the Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, guests will visit the Disney World Nursery & Tree Farm to see how horticulture and landscape design are to create an endless variety of uniquely themed environments.  

The tour continues to Disney’s Hollywood Studios where you’ll see how Disney Imagineers combined cutting-edge design with breakthrough technology to create the popular Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

You’ll also discover how wardrobe plays such an important part of the Disney magic. See how the Creative Costuming team outfits show and parade performers. And then complete your 7-hour long tour with an up-close look Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The Backstage Magic Tour is open to guests 16 years and older who carry government-issued photo identification. Lunch is included with the tour. Theme Park admission is not required or included.

Disney’s Family Magic Tour

For a shorter family tour, you might want to try Disney’s Family Magic Tour. Guests are invited on a 1 ½ to 2-hour guided interactive quest to save the Magic Kingdom from the dastardly plans of a Disney Villain.

Although guests of all ages are welcome, this tour is ideally designed for those 4 to 10 years of age. Led by a tour guide, you’ll be asked to search for and follow clues throughout the Magic Kingdom, solve diabolical puzzles and participate in a fun-filled scavenger hunt.

Magic Kingdom theme park admission is required and is not included in the price of this tour.

Keys to the Kingdom Tour

Who wouldn’t want the keys to the Kingdom… the Magic Kingdom! This unique tour highlights the long and fascinating history of Walt Disney World Resort while offering backstage access to secret areas of the theme park.

Guests must be at least 16 years of age to participate in this 4.5-hour walking tour. You’ll explore some of the stories behind the Magic Kingdom while learning how Walt Disney’s innovative ideas, revolutionary visions and creative philosophies made it all possible. The tour includes stops at backstage facilities and a number of favorite attractions.

One special highlight is a trip below Magic Kingdom theme park into the legendary service tunnels referred to as Utilidors, or utility corridors. Guest accessible areas of Magic Kingdom are actually on the “second floor” of a massive structure. The first floor, called the Utilidors, allows Cast Members, deliveries and even trash to be unknowingly transported without disturbing the guests’ experience in the theme park.

Magic Kingdom theme park admission is required and is not included in the price of this tour.

While Orlando’s theme parks get most of the attention, you’ll find plenty of family fun just a short drive away at Silver Springs near Ocala, FL. The park is filled with nature, animals, rides and attractions, while offering a glimpse into what life was like in central Florida more than 10,000 years ago.

The landmark springs pump 550 million gallons of sparkling clear water each and every day. And the park’s unique glass bottom boats off an amazing view of underwater life in the clean, 99.8% pure waters of the Silver River. One spring, Fish Reception Hall, is home to dozens of species of fish plus alligators, clams, crawfish, shrimp, snails and turtles, all amidst the backdrop of tiny fossilized shells from 70 million years ago. 

Now you can also enjoy music from the park’s 2012 Concert Series. Shows begin at 3 pm and are included in park admission, $31.99 general, $24.99 ages 3-10. Reserved seats can be purchased for an additional $10.

Jan. 28          REO Speedwagon

Feb. 11         Thompson Square

Feb. 18         James Otto and Lee Brice

Feb. 25         Travis Tritt

Mar. 3           Steel Magnolia

Mar. 10         Styx

Mar. 24         Glen Campbell

Mar. 31         Eddie Money

For additional information, visit http://www.silversprings.com/. Or for discount Orlando family vacation packages, go to http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Enjoy a taste of the American West in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Pigeon Forge, near Gatlinburg, TN, brings the great American West to life with its 12^th Annual Saddle Up festival, to be held Feb. 23-26, 2012. The celebration salutes the American West with cowboy musicians and poets, a hearty chuckwagon cookoff, and a cowboy dance.

The unique four-day festival is filled with entertainment the entire family can enjoy and plenty of cowboy-themed activities. “Stories and Strings” is a new concert featuring a variety of top country western performers who will discuss their influences, demonstrate their styles and play, performing together for the first time.

The list of 2012 Saddle Up entertainers includes: R.W. Hampton, Stephanie Davis, Saddle Cats, Cowboy Celtic, Kent Rollins, Ray Doyle, Andy Nelson and Chuck Pyle.

If you’re looking for discount resort accommodations or discount family vacation packages in the Great Smoky Mountains, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Catch the beads. Catch the Music. Catch the Spirit. It’s all part of the fun and excitement of the annual Mardi Gras celebration at Universal Studios^® in Orlando!The whole family can join the party as the sights, sounds, and even the tastes of the Big Easy come back to Universal Orlando Resort on Saturdays and select nights from February 11 through April 14, 2012.

On Mardi Gras days, the fun begins every evening as a variety of unique performers take to the streets of Universal Studios. Head over to the French Quarter Courtyard to sample some authentic Cajun food and enjoy live music from bands straight out of New Orleans.

Then get ready for a spectacular parade filled with dazzling floats, colorful costumes and, of course, beads, beads and more beads being tossed from the floats into the crowd.

This year’s parade highlights the wonder and whimsy of planet Earth. A wide variety of floats help take guests on a breathtaking journey to different parts of the world to explore the beauty and diversity of our globe. Float designs include a riverboat, gator, New Orleans, deep blue sea, polar regions, rain forest, bayous & swamps, coral reef and more.

If that’s not enough, there’s also an electrifying concert, featuring some of the biggest names in music. Scheduled performers include:

• Sat, Feb. 11:  The B-52s
• Sat, Feb. 18:  Kelly Clarkson
• Sun, Feb. 19:  Boyz II Men
• Sat, Feb. 25:  Diana Ross
• Sat, March 3: [To be announced]
• Sat, March 10:  Big Time Rush
• Fri, March 16:   J. Cole
• Sat, March 17:  Jill Scott
• Fri, March 23:   Hot Chelle Rae
• Sat, March 24:  B.o.B
• Fri, March 30:  Plain White T’s
• Sat, March 31:  Prince Royce
• Sat: April 7:  Cyndi Lauper
• Sat, April 14:  KC & the Sunshine Band 

Even the littlest ones can enjoy Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando. Children get their own private parade experience at the Little Jester’s Parade Viewing Areas located next to the Terminator 2^®: 3-D attraction.

Children will also love the KidZone Mardi Pardi Krewe, located in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone. This special party zone features free beads and a live stage show starring their favorite characters. Check out the daily shows at 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm and 5 pm.

When the excitement dies down at Universal Studios, the party continues on at Universal CityWalk.

On Mardi Gras event nights, guests 21-and-older can use their Universal Studios theme park ticket or Annual Pass to receive free admission to the shopping and entertainment district’s seven unique clubs and bars. That includes admission to Pat O’Brien’s, an exact replica of the famed New Orleans club where it’s Mardi Gras every day of the year. CityWalk is open nightly til 2 am.

Mardi Gras parades and concerts are included in regular admission to Universal Studios. For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com/mardigras. Or go to http://www.westgatereservations.com/ for details on discount Orlando theme park tickets and discount Orlando vacation packages.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in central Florida will host a groundbreaking ceremony on January 18 for a $100 million exhibit designed to showcase the retired space shuttle Atlantis.

Home to NASA’s space shuttle program throughout its 30-year history, the Kennedy Space Center plans a 65,000-square-foot exhibit space for the orbiter. The exhibit will offer guests a close-up look at the shuttle while highlighting the long history and storied history of the shuttle program.

The groundbreaking ceremony is set to begin at 11 am and is open to guests at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The event will feature several speakers including Chris Ferguson, former Atlantis commander; Bill Moore, chief operating officer of the visitor complex; Janet Petro, deputy director of the Kennedy Space Center and others.

For information on discount Orlando area attraction tickets and discount Orlando family vacation packages, please visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Country and classic rock concerts. Sizzlin’ and delicious BBQ for top local restaurants. Sampling tents and beer gardens. It all adds up to another year of Bands, Brew & BBQ at SeaWorld Orlando.

The popular annual event runs Saturdays and Sundays over the course of four weekends, Feb. 11-12, 18-19, 25-26 and March 3-4, 2012.

In addition to all the regularly scheduled fun and adventure at SeaWorld, this special event offers up rocking concerts from some of the top musical artists in country and rock. The theme park also partners with Orlando area restaurants to provide a rich and varied array of BBQ and grilled foods, plus a thirst-quenching beer garden featuring nearly 50 craft beers from nearly 20 different domestic and international breweries.

This year’s musical artists include:

• Sat, Feb. 11:      Foreigner
• Sun, Feb. 12:    Gary Allan
• Sat, Feb. 18:     Trace Adkins
• Sun, Feb. 19:    Kenny Rogers
• Sat, Feb. 25:     Doobie Brothers
• Sun, Feb. 26:    Ronnie Dunn
• Sat, Mar. 3:       Sara Evans
• Sun, Mar, 4:      Scotty McCreery