9/14/08            Children of Bodom 6 pm

9/20/08            Classic Albums Live - featuring Boston 7:30 pm

9/26/08            Nick Swardson 6:30 pm

10/3/08            Joel McHale 7 pm

10/21/08          Alanis Morissette 7 pm

Music lovers will also want to mark Sept. 25 and Oct. 30 in their calendars.  Those are the dates slated for the next two versions of the popular Velvet Sessions…Orlando’s only rock ‘n’ roll cocktail party held the last Thursday of the month (Nov/Dec excluded) at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Shamu’s SMARTGUIDE is a Global Positioning System, “GPS unit” designed to help guests maximize their time at SeaWorld Orlando Adventure Park.  This informative electronic guide provides an interactive digital park map that will assist in navigating your way around the park, while providing ease and convenience in locating attractions and facilities.  The GPS unit can be reserved and rented from SeaWorld for just $18.25 (plus tax) per day. 

The Shamu SMARTGUIDE takes you on a world of discovery as you enjoy the ultimate in theme park navigation. Let Shamu’s SMARTGUIDE Global Positioning System provide you with quick answers to all your park questions; give you the inside scoop on shows and attractions; and offer special zoological insights on SeaWorld’s amazing wildlife and their unique habitats.

For additional information, stop by SeaWorld’s Information Counter just inside the park entrance.  Quantities are limited.  Park admission is required and not included.

In addition, the park will open for all individuals beginning at 9 am.

The Sesame Street area will include a variety of new kid-sized attractions including a junior roller coaster, log flume, wet and dry play areas, character dining and more.  In addition, kids of all ages will enjoy a new 4-D movie titled, Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination!  In this special movie encounter, you’ll feel real raindrops and see your favorite Sesame Street characters appear to leap off the screen!

It’s all coming to Busch Gardens in 2009!

A last-minute purchase or rental of certain items out of necessity can add up quickly.  If you are flying and can’t bring certain items in your carry-on luggage, you might consider making a list of items to pick up as soon as you reach Orlando.

No matter what time of year, be sure to have plenty of sunscreen and water bottles at your disposal.  It’s much cheaper to purchase a case of water and sunscreen in advance than purchasing those items inside a theme park or attraction.  And most parks will allow you to bring in water if the bottles are unopened.

Other items to pack or purchase in advance include rain ponchos, band aids, snacks and disposable cameras.  And if you have younger children, an umbrella stroller can come in handy.  Although many children will resist at first, after a long day of walking, they may soon be begging to be pushed along.

The Cat in the Hat^TM, Horton Hears a Who^TM, The Grinch^TM and The Sneetches^TM smile back at you as these Dr. Seuss stories come to life in three dimensions at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando®. The new Dr. Seuss Kids’ Suites are an immersive, larger-than-life experience that integrates the adventures of Seuss Landing^TM at Universal’s Islands of Adventure® theme park right into the hotel.

The two-room suites offer plenty of space for the whole family at 650 sq. ft.: a king bedroom for the adults and two twin-sized beds in the children’s portion of the suite. Plus, parents appreciate the added feature that only allows access from the children’s room into the adult’s room, not into the hallway.

Special kid’s suites accommodations are also available at the other on-site hotels including new Jurassic Park-themed suites at Loews Royal Pacific Resort and music-inspired kids’ suites at Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando.

And right now you can get a double dose of one popular movie adventure.  First you can plunge into darkness on Universal Studios’ popular thrill ride, Revenge of the Mummy® roller coaster.

Then after a full day of fun at the theme park, head to the adjacent CityWalk Universal Cineplex 20, an AMC Theatre® to experience Universal Picture’s thrilling new The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor starring Brendan Fraser and Jet Li, opening August 1. 2008.

Hotels with “Kids Eat Free” specials include: Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn, Orlando World Center Marriott Resort, The Hilton Orlando Resort, Royal Plaza in the Walt Disney World Resort, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort (as part of the “Summer Splash” program), Sheraton Safari Hotel & Suites and many more. Other Orlando area restaurants with “Kids Eat Free” programs include: Andiamo Italian Bistro & Grill, Gator’s Dockside, Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant, Lone Star Steak House and Roadhouse Grill.

You can keep the kids entertained for hours at the Lego Store located within Disney’s Marketplace.  Just stop by and dig into the brightly colored bins outside the store that are filled with Lego pieces.  Create your own masterpiece or try racing your own Lego car.  And don’t forget to take your picture with the oversize Lego creations surrounding you.  Then take a leisurely walk around this fun-filled shopping and entertainment complex.

Another freebie takes place every day at the Peabody Orlando hotel.  It’s the always anticipated March of the Peabody Ducks where the resident ducks enjoy a celebrity stroll across a red carpet to and from the Royal Duck Fountain.

It begins promptly at 11 a.m. when five North American mallard ducks descend from their $100,000 penthouse Royal Duck Palace and emerge from a special elevator in the lobby.  Accompanied by a Duck Master and appropriate marching music, they waddle in formation through the marble halls to a magnificent fountain where they splash in and spend their day.

At 5 p.m., the procession is reversed, The Peabody Orlando Ducks march back to their special elevator, then to their Royal Duck Palace for dinner and a quiet evening together.

Another popular and free outing is a visit to the Harry P. Leu Gardens, a 50-acre botanical park with the largest camellia collection in eastern North America. Admission to the gardens is free every Monday morning from 9 a.m. til noon.  In addition, the park runs a free story time program on the third Monday of every month for young children.

Using the Magicard, you can save up to $500 with discounts year-round at 97 participating Orlando area establishments.  You’ll enjoy savings on everything from attractions and accommodations to restaurants and golf. You can download the card at www.orlandoinfo.com/magicard or order one by calling 1-800-551-0181.