Sports

If you require sport event information in Orlando, here is a taste of what’s on offer for January:-

Thursday Jan. 22^nd, 2009
Sport: Basketball Orlando Magic v.s Boston Celtics
Place: Amway Arena.
Time: 8.00 PM
More info: : www.orlandomagic.com

Friday Jan. 23^rd 2009
Sport: Fishing Crappie Masters Tournament
Place: Hickory Point
Time: for 2 days
More info: www.orlandosports.org

Friday Jan. 23^rd 2009
Sport: Baseball
Place: Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex
Time: for 3 days
More info: www.orlandosports.org

Friday 30^th Jan. 2009
Sport: Lacrosse
Place: Disney’s Wide World of Sports
Time: January 30^th – February 1^st
More info: www.uslacrosse.org/events

January 30^th
Sport:: Dance  National Dance Team Championships
Place: Disney’s Wide World of Sports
Time: January 30^th-February 1^st
More info: www.uda.varsity.com

If you want more information on specific events, click on Question and Answers http://orlandoqna.blogspot.com/

Urgent - Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

If you are planning a trip to the US for pleasure or temporary business you will now require an ESTA before boarding a plane, this ruling was implemented Jan. 12^th 2009.

For more information go to
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1212498415724.shtm

To apply, fill in an application on-line at : https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

Plan Ahead

If you are planning a trip in the near future to one of the Disney Parks and certain rides are a must for you, check for operational updates on http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/refurbishmentslisting/index? 

sometimes they refurbish the ride that you want to go on, so save disappointment and plan ahead.

Find your Way At MCO

At Orlando International airport they have produced a very informative ‘Wayfinder’ map to help you find your way around. 

Check it out at: http://www.orlandoairports.net/ops/term.htm

Visual Art Exhibition

At the Orange County Regional History Centre Orlando, there is a photograph exhibition of a 70-year-old community of trailer homes on public land in Winter Garden, Florida
It Finishes on 18th January 2009.
More info. At http://www.thehistorycenter.org

Here are a few music events that are happening around the Orlando area

VENUE: Performing Arts Centre Livingston St.Orlando,
EVENT: The Festival of Orchestras: Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra
Date: 10^th January 2009
Information: http://www.festivaloforchestras.org/season/

VENUE: House of Blues, Lake Buena Vista, Orlando
EVENT: Orlando Rocks: with Gargamel, Black in the Mind, Mr. Bella, After Glow Radio and 7 Blue Skies
Date: 17th January 2009
Information: http://www.hob.com/tickets/eventdetail.asp?eventid=55747

VENUE: The Hard Rock Café Universal Drive
EVENT: Hard Rock Live K92 FM All Star Acoustic Jam
Date; 18^th January 2009
Information: http://www.hardrock.com/live2/live.asp

VENUE: Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida
EVENT: Soprano Monica Yunus performs at Tiedtke Concert Hall
Date: 23^rd January 2009
Information: http://www.bachfestivalflorida.org/

Festival of the Seasons.

From November 28^th 2008 to December 24^th 2008 Downtown Disney is a great place to shop for Christmas, it has a wonderful atmosphere with a sparkling array of lights, window displays to feast the eye, great restaurants, music and entertainment throughout, carol singers creating the sounds and aura of Christmas.

More information can be found at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index

The ‘Now Snowing Event’ returns to Downtown Celebration

This is a Wonderfully Magical Event…

I saw it for myself last year and, well, it just makes you cry. If Disney brings out the kid in you and makes you smile so much - then this is even, even better.

Running from 11/29/08 to 12/31/08 with 10 minute shows at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm & 9pm.

Go with kids or grown ups (?) for a snowy old time.

Covered in this article from the Gaylord Palms site…

Now Snowing in Downtown Celebration - Christmas in Orlando

A House Sales boost for Orlando and Kissimmee.

If you have spare cash or are looking for an investment that will surely hold up in an always developing area. Now is the time to buy in the Orlando area, as told in this following news item from the Orlando Sentinel.

On our web sites, our Associate Realtors, Jaime and Vanessa Barnes, are very likable people and effective in analysing what you may need. Visit them here…

Foreclosed houses boost existing-home sales in Orlando area -- OrlandoSentinel.com

Disney cruise ships are updating their on-board theatres.

Disney's Cruise Ships will be featuring 3-D movies and plan to add lasers, and new effects with the latest technology. Orlando Sentinel has more information in the following news item…

Orlando Sentinel - Disney cruise ships will feature 3D movies on Tourism Central Florida

Happy Birthday Mickey!

Today is the 80th birthday of the most famous mouse ever, well done Walt Disney, did you ever have a good idea.

News story found at WDW News Today.

Happy 80th Birthday Mickey!!! | WDW News Today

Looping bike trail flows from St. Johns River to the sea

In what should be a great boost for tourists who enjoy cycling. A new cycle trail, due to open in 2013 a cycle trail, which involves a seven day journey through 260 miles of Florida Counties. This could be a vacation in itself.

Story found at OrlandoSentinel.com

Looping bike trail flows from St. Johns River to the sea -- OrlandoSentinel.com

Dogs love Santa, too

This one may be only for local residents…

Go to Downtown Disney and have a photo taken of your dog with Santa! Well, if you're into that sort of thing!

Pets are, of course, great companions to all. You should though take a few minutes to check out reality first – or maybe just have a good time in this most joyous of seasons… Merry Christmas to all.

Story from OrlandoSentinel

Orlando Sentinel - Dogs love Santa, too by

Happy birthday, young Lancelot and Guinevere

Medieval Times have a great idea for a children's birthday party. A Right Royal Occasion is guaranteed for all with feastin and joustin…

Story found at Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Sentinel - Happy birthday, young Lancelot and Guinevere by

Christmas Celebration at Magic Kingdom Park

Mickey’s Christmas Party with special parade, stage shows, fireworks and much more.

November 10th to December 19th 2008

For more information see here…

Disney's Hall of Presidents prepares for it’s new arrival

The only downside to this election is that the Hall of Presidents closes for an extended period while new audio animatronics figure is added.

Story found at Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Sentinel - Disney's Hall of Presidents prepares for new arrival on Tourism Central Florida

Traffic plunges 13 percent at Orlando International

Times are hard !

Found at Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Sentinel - Traffic plunges 13 percent at Orlando International on Tourism Central Florida

Crackdown at Universal: Hundreds banned from resort for underage drinking during night time Halloween festival.

We would appreciate your comments on this story.

Found at-

Orlando Sentinel - Crackdown at Universal: Hundreds banned from resort for underage drinking during nighttime Halloween fest on Tourism Central Florida

A Disney Halloween Treat. On Oct. 30 and 31, Downtown Disney is hosting a free Halloween event from 5 to 9 p.m.

A fun and spooky time is guaranteed for all as Disney always do Halloween excellently.

Orlando Sentinel - No trick, this is a Disney World Halloween treat by

Olympic diver Tom Daley in SeaWorld

Fourteen-year-old British diver Tom Daley will be making an appearance Wednesday, Oct. 22, at SeaWorld Orlando. Daley, who finished seventh in the 10-meter platform competition of the Beijing Olympics this summer, will be performing several of his dives in a special exhibition before the last performance of the park's "Blue Horizons" show.

Theme-park visitors will be allowed into the Whale & Dolphin Theatre at 5 p.m. for the 5:15 appearance. "Blue Horizons" begins at 5:30

Orlando Sentinel - Olympic diver Tom Daley to jump in before SeaWorld show by