Despite its location in sunny central Florida, Busch Gardens Tampa has a “cool” new attraction – Iceploration!

The snazzy new ice-skating show opening Feb. 2, features a dozen skaters, a variety of puppets, live animals, acrobats on trampolines, a virtual snowstorm and even some high tech video mapping. It’s all part of a half-hour show that tells the story of an 11-year-old boy named Austin who believes technology keeps his generation connected and his grandfather who encourages him to put down the smartphone and get out and explore the earth.

That journey is highlighted through the projection of images onto different surfaces inside Busch Gardens’ Moroccan Palace Theater. This unique change in backdrops profiles the changes in the show’s location. The performers and skaters visit the Serengeti, the Great Barrier Reef, the Arctic and even a rain forest.

The largest ice-skating show in the park’s history, Iceploration is filled with special effects and high-energy choreography, as well as colorful costumes, live animals, original music and puppetry such as a life-size elephant.

For information on Iceploration, visit http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa.

 A new ice age is coming to central Florida’s Busch Gardens.

The Tampa theme park is planning to open an exciting new show in February, called Iceploration. The 30-minute show is expected to feature a combination of figure skating, puppetry and aerial maneuvers as well as live animals.

Featuring 20 performers, the ice show will take guests around the world with virtual visits to the African Serengeti, the Amazon Rainforest, the Arctic and the Great Barrier Reef. The cast includes world class ice skaters, original music, oversized puppets and live animals.

Iceploration will be presented in Busch Gardens’ Moroccan Palace. There will also be a Christmas on Ice show from Nov. 21 to Jan. 1, 2012. Both shows are included with regular theme park admission.

For information on discount theme park tickets and discount Orlando vacation package deals, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Don’t miss the last week of IllumiNights at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, running now through August 21.

The annual event celebrates summer with a nightly extravaganza featuring live performances, music and special effects that culminates in a park-wide fireworks display.

Each country within Busch Gardens celebrates IllumiNights in its own unique way, with multiple performances throughout the evening. Nightly fireworks cap off the park-wide excitement.

Another upcoming event at Busch Gardens is the popular Wild Days: The Ultimate Animal Adventure. On Sept. 10-11, creatures from around the world will fly, slither, creep and crawl through the theme park in a series of fun animal shows, educational opportunities and hands-on demonstrations. Guests can learn about native animal habitats, enjoy conservation tips and experience more with renowned animal experts Jack Hanna and Julie Scardina.

For more on Williamsburg attraction tickets and discount Williamsburg vacation packages, go to http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is ready to light up the nights with the summertime celebration, IllimiNights: A Busch Gardens Encore.

The park’s celebration is a combination of live performances, music, special effects and fireworks that occurs over the course of 56 evenings throughout the summer.

Each country inside the European styled theme park celebrates IllumiNights in its own way. For example, guests can enjoy larger-than-life puppets in Ireland, see the world’s largest cuckoo clock in Germany or witness amazing acrobatic feats in Italy.

IllumiNations culminates with a full-scale fireworks show.

Voted the world’s most beautiful theme park 21 consecutive years, Busch Gardens Williamsburg provides exciting thrill rides, award-winning shows, and special attractions for the entire family.

From the Sesame Street Forest of Fun kid’s attraction to pulse pounding roller coasters like Griffon, Curse of DarKastle, Alpengeist and Apollo’s Chariot, Busch Gardens keeps the thrills coming for all ages.

New in 2011 is the Mäch Tower, a massive psychological thrill ride that lifts riders 246 feet above Oktoberfest. After rotating at the top of the tower and getting a few seconds to take in the view, riders drop at a breathtaking speed.

Go to http://www.westgatereservations.com/ for information on discount theme park tickets and discount Williamsburg family vacation packages.

The popular Velvet Sessions rock ‘n’ roll party series returns to Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel this month with the appearance of musical guest Psychedelic Furs on June 30.

Velvet Sessions offers an up close atmosphere as performers hit the stage in the lobby of the Hard Rock at Universal Orlando Resort. The English rockers, Psychedelic Furs, are best known for hits like “Pretty in Pink” and “All That Money Wants.”

Admission to Velvet Sessions is $29 when purchased online and in advance. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $35. The admission price includes select specialty drinks (which vary monthly) and finger foods from 6:30-8:30 pm. There is a cash bar when the concert starts at 8:30 pm.

For details on the Velvet Sessions 2011 concert series, visit www.velvetsessions.com. For additional information on Orlando theme park concerts and events, go to www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com. Or visit www.westgatereservations.com for up-to-date savings and discounts on Orlando family vacation packages and resort accommodations.

The Memorial Day weekend is upon us and that means summer can’t be far behind! It also means there are plenty of great entertainment options throughout the Orlando and central Florida area.

You can even get an early jump on the weekend events by attending the monthly concert series, Velvet Sessions, at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel. The unique rock ‘n’ roll cocktail party and lobby concert features musical guest is Live’s Ed Kowalczyk. The event kicks off at 6:30 pm with food and themed drinks. The musical guest is Live’s Ed Kowalczyk. For tickets and additional details, visit www.velvetsessions.com.

Star Wars fans can get ready for the second of four Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The annual Star Wars celebration features dozens of your favorite Star Wars characters, special motorcades and events and more. This weekend’s special guests include actor Anthony Daniels who portrayed C-3PO, Bruce Spence who played Tion Medon and Dee Bradley, the voice of Captain Rex in the animated television show Clone Wars.

Star Wars fans will also want to be sure and ride the newly revamped Star Tours ride, featuring new 3-D film and multiple missions.

Meanwhile, just a short drive from Orlando, you’ll also find some new excitement at Busch Gardens Tampa where the theme park’s newest roller coaster, Cheetah Hunt, is scheduled to open on Friday. The park’s longest coaster, the Cheetah Hunt attraction also includes an adjacent cheetah habitat called Cheetah Run.

For more information about Orlando area theme parks and attractions, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

Construction on the all new Mäch Tower ride at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is nearing completion. Just how high is this towering thrill ride? Well, the flag at the top of tower, sits at nearly 240 feet.

Mäch Tower is scheduled to open in late May and guests will have an opportunity to head to the top of the tower and enjoy breathtaking views not to mention some pulse-pounding drops!

Busch Gardens is also the place to be this summer for exciting concerts. The theme park stage will feature performances from some of the most recognizable names in pop and rock including Colbie Caillat, Miranda Cosgrove, Pat Benetar and the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll with performances by Neil Sedaka. Caillat takes the stage June 4-5.

All concerts are included with regular theme park admission and will be presented at the Royal Palace Theatre. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For information and hours of operation for Busch Gardens Williamsburg, voted the world’s most beautiful theme park 21 consecutive years, go to http://buschgardens.com/Bgw/.

Also opening soon is nearby Water Country USA. The Williamsburg water park is slated to open for the 2011 season on May 21.

The park features almost 600 feet of body slides, a 700-foot lazy river and plenty of other refreshing water attractions for kids of all ages.

Water Country USA offers more than 30 state-of-the-art water rides and attractions, but construction is almost complete on the park’s newest adventure, Vanish Point. Daring guests on Vanish Point will experience a drop of nearly 300 feet and reach speeds up to 40 miles per hour.

Central Florida’s two biggest contemporary Christian music celebrations are held at Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando each September. But for those who want a taste of those bigger celebrations, you can check out Glory at the Gardens on May 7 and May 14 at Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa.On May 7, Glory at the Gardens features the popular sister duo, Mary Mary. They will be joined by Christian hip-hop artist, Lecrae. The following Saturday also offers two musical guests in Michael W. Smith and Sidewalk Prophets.

Both nights of music will be held at Gwazi Field inside Busch Gardens with the concerts kicking off at 5 p.m. Best of all, the music is included with your regular theme park admission.

For information and discount ticket pricing for Busch Gardens, please visit www.westgatereservations.com.

By now, the news should come as no surprise.Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Virginia was recently named by theme park enthusiasts as the nation’s most beautiful amusement park. The honor marks the 21^st consecutive year the park was voted most beautiful, based on an annual survey by the National Amusement Park Historical Association.

Although Walt Disney World Resort finished second in beauty for the 6^th straight year, Disney World was voted the nation’s favorite theme park, finishing ahead of Disneyland and Busch Gardens Europe.

With resort properties in both Williamsburg and Orlando, Westgate guests have ample opportunity to visit both Busch Gardens Europe and Walt Disney World Resort.

The Orlando area is world renowned for its theme parks, and there area plenty to choose from between SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Walt Disney World Resort.

But you don’t have to travel far from Orlando to find even more theme park adventure, including Busch Gardens Tampa just a short drive along I-4 through central Florida.

With an amazing collection of roller coasters, family oriented rides and attractions, and even some up close encounters with wild animals, Busch Gardens has plenty to offer.

Sesame Street Safari of Fun is a perfect spot for the youngest in the family to enjoy some time with their favorite Muppets. The Safari area offers up a variety of adventure such as water splash zones, the Air Grover kids’ roller coaster, a number of additional perfect-for-the-kids rides and a live show featuring the Sesame Street characters.

Busch Gardens offers up several distinct spots for viewing an abundance of wild animals, including the Serengeti Plain, Edge of Africa and Walkabout Way which features a special kangaroo feeding area.

Busch Gardens’ newest roller coaster, currently under construction, features both thrills and wild animals. The Cheetah Hunt, set to open in late May, will offer an exhibit of live cheetahs adjacent to the ride.

For information and discount ticket options to Busch Gardens Tampa as well as discount Orlando vacation packages, visit www.westgatereservations.com.