Orlando’s theme parks have made the city one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. And this year’s Theme Park Insider Awards again provide a glimpse as to why Orlando remains a tourism hot spot.Orlando theme parks won three of the four categories in the Theme Park Insider Awards competition. The Theme Park Insider Awards were based on average reader ratings on http://www.themeparkinsider.com/ over the past 12 months.

Registered users of the site have the opportunity to rate attractions, restaurants and hotels on a scale from 0 to 10 and vote only once on each location. ThemeParkInsider.com tallies the ratings and computes averages for each location to determine the winners.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure, home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, was voted the Best Theme Park for the second consecutive year.

Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (and Disneyland) was named Best New Attraction.

Epcot’s Bistro de Paris was named the Best Theme Park Restaurant for the second year in a row.

The final category for Best On-Site Theme Park Hotel was won by Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim, Calif.

In the restaurant category, runners-up included two Orlando venues, Mythos at Islands of Adventure and Epcot’s Via Napoli.

Universal’s Portofino Bay and Disney World’s Beach Club Resort were voted runners-up in the hotel division.

For information on Orlando’s theme parks and discount Orlando theme park vacation packages, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

Despite an abundance of clear skies and sunshine in central Florida, it’s tough to see for miles and miles unless you’re standing on a beach along the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico.

You certainly won’t find any high elevations or even many tall office buildings. But there is a handful of attractions that’ll get you high enough to catch a nice, sweeping view of the Florida terrain.

At Disney World’s Downtown Disney shopping and entertainment complex you’ll find “Characters in Flight,” a spectacular tethered helium balloon designed to take guests 400 feet straight up for a 360-degree view of the Walt Disney World  Resort area and beyond.

The bright yellow balloon decorated with Disney characters like Dumbo, Aladdin and Mary Poppins, can be seen from miles around as it soars skyward above the lake at Downtown Disney. Each ride lasts approximately 8-10 minutes. Adult tickets are $18 and children can ride for $12.

Across town at SeaWorld Orlando, you’ll find a similar airborne view aboard the theme park’s 400-foot-tall Sky Tower. The cost to ride to the top of the revolving viewing platform is included with regular theme park admission.

A less expensive view can be found just west of Orlando in nearby Clermont where the city’s Citrus Tower offers a panoramic of the surrounding lakes, rolling hills and developments in Lake County. An elevator takes visitors to the top of the 22-story high tower where there’s a glass enclosed observation area. Admission to the Citrus Tower observation deck is $4 for adults and just $2 for children.

Another spot to get a bird’s-eye-view is from the top of Mount Gushmore at Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park. You can take a ski lift to the top where you’ll find an observation area offering a great view of the surrounding Disney parks and property. And when it’s time to go, you can take the easy way back down or you can choose the faster path down Summit Plummet, a 120-foot water slide. You’ll experience the 12-story water slide drop at speeds of 50-60 miles per hour!

Visit www.westgatereservations.com for information on discount Orlando family vacation packages and theme park tickets.

Orlando visitors can enjoy a little extra Disney magic during the Christmas holiday season as Walt Disney World Resort offers extended theme park hours.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom will remain open til midnight Dec. 22-24 and til 1 am on Christmas Day.

The park will also be open til midnight on Dec. 26; 1 am on Dec. 27-29; midnight on Dec. 30; and on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, the park will be open until 2 am.

On select days during the holidays, the Magic Kingdom will also offer Extra Magic Hours until 3 am for guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Disney Mickeys Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
 

Buy Two SeaWorld Tickets & Receive 2 Nights On Us! 

Event Dates:
Sept. 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25 & 29
Oct. 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 & 31
Nov. 1, 2009

Pirates and princesses alike will delight to the after-hours “special ticket” event at Magic Kingdom Park better known as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Guests are invited to dress up in Halloween costumes and enjoy the Halloween fun from 7 pm til midnight on select evenings from Sept. 4 thru Nov. 1, 2009.

The annual Halloween festivities include the popular “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade and a “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular. Of course, there’s also plenty of sweet trick-or-treating fun, not to mention the usual assortment of Disney characters – including Mickey and Minnie – all decked out in their Halloween costumes. And let’s not forget all the fun-filled Magic Kingdom rides and attractions that remain open all through the festivities.

October 20-23, 2009
Rooted in the campy theatrics of Alice Cooper and the sleazy hard rock of glam rockers the New York Dolls, Kiss became a favorite of American teenagers in the ’70s. Most kids were infatuated with the look of Kiss, not their music. Decked out in outrageously flamboyant costumes and makeup, the band fashioned a captivating stage show featuring dry ice, smoke bombs, elaborate lighting, blood spitting, and fire breathing that captured the imaginations of thousands of kids. But Kiss’ music shouldn’t be dismissed — it was a commercially potent mix of anthemic, fist-pounding hard rock driven by sleek hooks and ballads powered by loud guitars, cloying melodies, and sweeping strings. It was a sound that laid the groundwork for both arena rock and the pop-metal that dominated rock in the late ’80s. Kiss was the brainchild of Gene Simmons (bass, vocals) and Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar, vocals). Don’t miss what could be your last chance to see Gene and Paul do it again as only KISS can! Click here for the best KISS ticket prices on the Internet!

Walt Disney World in Orlando is one of the most visited destinations in the country. It has a lot of fun activities for the entire family. Disney World in Orlando offers a variety of theme park options, including Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot. Each of these theme parks offer a different experience and each is big enough that you can spend a full day or more to cover it completely. So, it makes sense to buy your Disney vacation packages which covers multiple park options. You can get packages online to save a lot time that you would otherwise spend waiting in the long lines at the ticket counter.

Orlando vacation packages are typically built around visits to the area’s most popular theme parks – Disney World, Universal and SeaWorld. Yet an Orlando vacation offers access to a plethora of other attractions and venues ideal for the entire family.

Dinner shows and themed restaurants provide added entertainment value after a long day at the parks, or simply as a fun-filled alternative for a day away from the hustle and bustle of the parks.

If you’re looking for some Orlando fun, try out Pirates Dinner Adventure, Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show, the Outta Control Dinner Show or one of the many other themed restaurants ranging from Emeril’s and Jimmy Buffet’s to the T-Rex and Rainforest Café!

Pirates Dinner Adventure puts you smack in the middle of a pirate’s world and all of the swashbuckling action that comes with it. An interactive show, you’ll be entertained with an astonishing display of special effects wizardry, aerial artistry, swordplay, dynamic duels and daring. A classic story of good vs. evil, the Pirate Dinner Adventure offers a perfect blend of action, adventure, comedy and romance the entire family can enjoy. And, of course, you’ll receive a hearty meal fit for a king…or a hungry pirate.

At Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show, you’ll be asked to bring both your investigative skills and your appetite. But be prepared to laugh your way through the evening.

You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you experience one of 13 original comedy/mystery shows, all while enjoying a delicious meal with unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks. Just be ready to mingle with a variety of outrageous characters. You might even be chosen for a cameo role in the show!

All shows are 2-1/2 hours of scripted mystery, improvisation and audience participation. Watch for anything suspicious, interrogate the suspects and help solve the crime!

Dinner shows are just one aspect of a great Orlando vacation package. For more information on discount Orlando vacations, Disney vacation packages, Orlando tickets, Orlando hotels, theme park tickets and more, please visit www.orlandovacationsonline.com.

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