Stay with us while attending the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

March 3rd, 2010

Epcot Food Garden March 2010

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, presented by Disney nature, is a spring special event filled with colorful array of flowers, gardens, topiaries, live music and educational events.

This is one of our favorite events that take place at Epcot and it’s perfect for guests of all ages! You will enjoy millions of blooming flowers and a vibrant of Disney-themed topiaries, and hundreds of butterflies inside Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden. On the weekends you can meet with top horticulturists at one of the many Garden Town Programs and learn helpful gardening tips. Be sure to attend the public demonstrations of advanced gardening techniques from around the world. Some of the demonstrations will include, easy to do Water Features, Fun Family Gardening Projects, What’s Old is new and many more.

 One highlight of this event is on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the festival you can enjoy music from the 1960’s and 1970’s during the Flower Power Concert Series.  Some of this year’s concert performers are Jose Feliciano, Paul Revere & the Raiders, David Cassidy, Starship, Tony Orlando, Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone, Ricky Nelson Remembered Featuring the Nelsons, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Fran Cosmo (Former lead singer of Boston), Davy Jones and Chubby Checker & the Wildcats. Entertainment is subject to change without notice.

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival starts early this year, March 3-May 16, 2010 so make your spring break plans now and stay with us. The Best Western Lake Buena Vista, “An Official Walt Disney World Resort” Hotel, is located within walking distance to Downtown Disney’s shopping, dining and entertainment complex and offers complimentary continuous shuttles to the Walt Disney Theme parks. Be sure to take advantage of our 20% off prepay special. For reservations call 800.348.3765 or visit our web site at www.LakeBuenaVistaResortHotel.com.

ALL THE WORLD’S A PLATE

February 19th, 2010

Epcot Dining Feb 2010

Hungry? At the Walt Disney World® Resort, you can travel the world right from your dinner plate, with an astonishing array of restaurants and eateries. Savor modern African cuisine at Jiko – The Cooking Place. Dine in award-winning, world-class opulent elegance at Victoria & Albert’s. Take a bite on the wild side at Rainforest Café®. Celebrate Octoberfest at the Biergarten Restaurant. Toast an ale with friends at the Rose & Crown Pub and Dining Room. French? Seafood? Spicy New Orleans Cajun? Mexican? Japanese? The Walt Disney World® Resort has got them all, and there’s something to please every palate…even the little tykes. Grab a quick bite on the go; relax and savor the ambience of specially-themed restaurants; enjoy a rousing Dinner Show; or dine with your favorite Disney Characters. Just remember to save room for those yummy desserts!

Atlanta Braves Spring Training

February 12th, 2010

Disney ATL Braves Feb 2010

Atlanta Braves Spring Training is returning to WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort for its 13th consecutive year. Come out and see the Braves veterans play alongside the stars of tomorrow at the re-imagined ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It’s real baseball in an out-of-the-world ballpark. The 16-game schedule features match-ups against hard-hitting opponents such as the Yankees, Phillies, Mets and more!

Tickets are available for purchase at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Box Office or at Ticketmaster.

2010 Spring Training Home Schedule

 
     
Wednesday, March 3 New York Mets 1:05 PM
Thursday, March 4 Pittsburgh Pirates 1:05 PM
Friday, March 5 Washington Nationals 1:05 PM
Sunday, March 7 Houston Astros 1:05 PM
Tuesday, March 9 Philadelphia Phillies 7:05 PM
Wednesday, March 10 New York Mets 1:05 PM
Friday, March 12 Pittsburgh Pirates 1:05 PM
Saturday, March 13 Toronto Blue Jays 1:05 PM
Tuesday, March 16 Florida Marlins 1:05 PM
Friday, March 19 Detroit Tigers 6:05 PM
Sunday, March 21 St Louis Cardinals 1:05 PM
Wednesday, March 24 Philadelphia Phillies 1:05 PM
Friday, March 26 Detroit Tigers 1:05 PM
Saturday, March 27 Washington Nationals 1:05 PM
Tuesday, March 30 New York Yankees 1:05 PM
Wednesday, March 31 Houston Astros 1:05 PM

Walt Disney World® Miniature Golf

February 5th, 2010

Disney Golf June 2009

With two miniature golf locations, the Walt Disney World® Resort is a paradise for golfers of all ages. Enjoy two wacky 18-hole adventures at Disney’s Winter Summerland. The Winter course takes a zany, snow-clad Florida look to the North Hole; Summer features a visit to Santa on the Winternet with a tropical, holiday theme and ornaments hanging from palm trees. Hippos dance, fountains leap and broomsticks march at Fantasia Gardens. Putt your way through an 18-hole interactive adventure with music and obstacles from Disney’s classic film, “Fantasia.” Or, experienced golfers can challenge Fantasia Fairways, complete with par-3 and par-4 holes ranging from 40 to 75 feet. Whether you’re a mini-golf fanatic or a first-timer, Walt Disney World® miniature golf is a hole-in-one to fun for the entire family.

BELIEVE IN MAKE-BELIEVE

January 22nd, 2010

Mickey Phila Jan 2010

Wonder, fantasy and plenty of pixie dust are everywhere at the Magic Kingdom® Park. From flying through Neverland to yo-hoing with a band of pirates, seven enchanted lands – with over 40 magical attractions – make exciting adventures and timeless fairy tale classics just a smile away.

The newest addition, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, features Mike Wazowski as your “Monster of Ceremonies” for this zany comedy show­case, inspired by Disney•Pixar’s Monster, Inc. Having discovered that laughter is ten times more powerful than scream, the Laugh Floor at Monsters, Inc. has been transformed into a comedy club for visit­ing humans – the goal: gather big laughs and plenty of them. Magic Kingdom® Guests are the center of all the laugh-packed fun as Mike’s wild and crazy pals trade jokes with audience members in hopes of getting the giggles going strong enough to power the whole city of Monstropolis.

Enhancements have been made to two Classic Disney attractions you won’t want to miss.  Discover haunting new surprises as you ride aboard a Doom Buggy with your Ghost Host throughout The Haunted Mansion. Look closely, there’s a whole new scene and many more spine-tingling terrors.  Dead men tell NEW tales as Captain Jack Sparrow has joined the crew of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. First the classic Disney attraction inspired the blockbuster movie – and then the movies inspired enhancements to the attraction. Captain Jack Sparrow, his nemesis Barbossa, and the ghostly Davy Jones add a new twist to one of the most beloved ride-thru adventures of all time!

Toon into Mickey’s PhilharMagic, an outrageous, in-your-face 3-D extravaganza featuring the largest cast of Disney animated characters ever assembled. It gives fun a whole new dimension.  Soak up a five-story drop into Brer Rabbit’s Laughin’ Place at Splash Mountain®, or pilot your own cruiser to save the galaxy in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

Sing along on the happiest cruise that ever sailed aboard it’s a small world, then fly high above Fantasyland® atop the world’s most popular flying elephant, Dumbo.

See the dazzling and delightful Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade and discover your favorite Disney characters while you move your feet to upbeat music and set your imagination soaring.  Watch the magic get brighter at night with SpectroMagic – a dazzling parade of light, color and sound. And listen to the “oohs” and “ahhs” grow louder with the WishesTM fireworks spectacular. It will touch your heart with a “story in the sky” you’ll cherish forever.

No wonder the Magic Kingdom® Park is the most beloved Walt Disney World® Theme Park. It’s the one – and only – place where once upon a time is now, and make-believe is as real as today.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Create a wild adventure!

January 15th, 2010

The fun gets wild at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Explore the realm of creatures that inhabit our world…and our imagination…and create your own adventure for an experience that roars with excitement.

Experience a high-speed train trek forward and backward through the treacherous Himalayan unknown, where the dreaded Yeti lurks on Expedition Everest™–Legend of the Forbidden Mountain.

The theater in the Wild at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park has been transformed into a magical undersea environment for a Broadway-caliber show, Finding Nemo – The Musical. This on-stage extravaganza is a retelling of the classic Disney•Pixar animated film Finding Nemo. To bring the little clownfish and his cast of friends to life, Disney reeled in some of Broadway’s finest designers and composers. The result is a visually-inventive, original musical, merging puppetry with live performances.

Explore over 100 acres of African Savannah on Kilimanjaro Safaris® Expedition as you become surrounded by free-roaming wildlife in their natural habitat.

Journey to Dinoland U.S.A. ® where there’s a rescue mission that goes back 65 million years on DINOSAUR, and the only thing between you and extinction is a seat belt!  Timon, Pumbaa and Simba welcome you to an energetic spectacle of Broadway proportions in Festival of the Lion King.

Now, trek over to Asia and be prepared to get wet – really wet – on a wild, water-rafting journey through Kali River Rapids®. And, be prepared for the breathtaking wonder of the mystical forest and ancient ruins of Maharajah Jungle Trek®, home to tigers, giant fruit bats and komodo dragons.

Don’t forget to go deep inside the Tree of Life to find out why It’s Tough to be a Bug! ®  in a funny, creepy, crawly 3-D adventure that will have you screaming and squirming for more.  Then join Mickey, Minnie, Donald and more of your Disney favorites for Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade, a swingin’ safari of character caravans accompanied by elaborate puppets and giant animal stilt walkers. To get a little one-on-one time with this Cast of Characters visit Mickey and the gang in Camp Minnie Mickey.  Pose for pictures and get their autographs.

It’s a wildly playful adventure like no other. And it’s yours to live. Come and explore Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park.

Happy New Year to all our partners,guests, and fans!

January 8th, 2010

 As we start the New Year we want to share with you one of our favorite Orlando non- profit home, The Russell Home for Atypical Children. This home proudly displays License Number 1 issued by the State Welfare Board as the first non-profit home for brain-damaged children.

 The home consists of children from various ethnic groups as well as various handicaps and needs. The first child that arrived at the home was in 1951 and is still in the home today.

 The Russell Home is “Home” for a number of children and adults with the mental age of children whose handicaps prevent their independent functioning in the community. The Russell Home provides around the clock specialized care, love, and a “Home-like atmosphere so vital to their special needs.” The home also provides day care on a regular or part time basis, as well as temporary respite care during vacations, emergency situations, or just a break for parents whose handicap child lives at home.

 By choice The Russell Home operates without the benefit of federal, state, or local funding, the purpose being to eliminate possible restrictions that would defeat the founding principal of the home, that acceptance be based solely on the need for services offered. Because it is a unique facility-the only of its kind in Central Florida-there is always shortage of space. Referrals come from churches, doctors, police departments, and the courts for permanent, or part-time or interim care.

 Michael arrived at the Russell Home via Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital at the age of 3 weeks, and was only 4 pounds and 6 ounces. Born with just a brain stem and Hydrocephalus, his life expectancy was only for weeks. A shunt was inserted to drain and prevent further swelling. Along with a lot of love and care, Michael is still surprising the family daily.

 Thus, the Russell Home over the years has captured the interest and the support of the surrounding community. Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel has been proudly supporting the home for several years and would like to thank all our associates, friends, partners for their kind offerings.

 To learn more about The Russell Home or to see how you can help, please visit their web site at

www.RussellHome.org.

 Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel

2000 Hotel Plaza Blvd/P. O. Box 22205

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

407.828.2424

Welcome runners to the Walt Disney World Marathon

December 23rd, 2009

EPCOT Dec 2009

 January is a perfect month in Central Florida to be running in one of the Disney Marathons. The weather is picture perfect with sunny cool days and nights. We guarantee there are no snow storms in the forecast.

 Once you cross the start line, you know crossing the finish line will be one of the best moments of your life and all the time you took to prepare will be well worth it. Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA-with fantastic races through the most magical setting in the world. The entire weekend filled with competition and fun starting with Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo and finishing when you cross the finish line to earn the exclusive Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, or Goofy medals.

The weekend features a variety of races that are simply for fun or can be highly competitive. The 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Events include:

 

  • Walt Disney World ®Marathon
  • Walt Disney World® Half Marathon
  • Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge
  • Disney/Pixar Up & Away Family Fun Run 5K
  • Mickey’s Marathon Kid’s Fest and Mickey Mile
  • Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo

Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel is located in the Walt Disney World Resort in downtown Disney. All rooms feature two queen size beds or one king and each have a private furnished balcony where you can enjoy the picturesque views of downtown Disney. You can enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet in Trader’s Island Grill or have your favorite beverages in Flamingo Lounge which offers indoor and poolside seating. The hotel also features Pizza Hut Express, Parakeet Café for those grab and go items or you can shop in the official Disney store located in the hotel lobby.

 For your convenience the hotel offers complimentary continuous shuttle service to the Disney Theme parks and the buses depart every 30 minutes. The hotel also offers complimentary self parking.

 For reservations book online now or call nationwide at 800-348-3765. The Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel is located at 2000 Hotel Plaza Blvd, Orlando, FL 32830.

Great Holiday Shopping in Central Florida

December 2nd, 2009

Mall at Millenia Fashion shoppers_medium

Orlando may be the theme park capital of the world, but in recent years it has emerged as a shopping capital as well. From upscale malls, to outlet centers and trendy boutiques, Orlando is the only place on Earth that has a concentration of unique shopping experiences within a 15-mile radius. Choose from selections such as:

The Pointe Orlando-A place where you can elevate your dining experience at restaurants offering everything from casual fare to haute cuisine. Where you can discover a diverse collection of specialty shops. And where, when the sun sets, you can find a place pulsing with energy, music & live entertainment. Among the towering palm trees that dot our landscaped walkways, among the fountains sitting in sun-dappled squares, you’ll discover an eclectic mix of extraordinary shops. From iconic brands-like Armani and Tommy Bahama—to chic boutiques, you’ll find it at the Pointe.

The Mall at Millenia-More than just the ultimate shopping destination, The Mall at Millenia treats guests to a sensory experience. Breathtaking architecture creates a distinct environment that exceeds all expectations. The latest runway fashions from NY, London, Paris and Milan are broadcast on LED screens atop 35-foot high masts. Amenities such as valet parking, multi-lingual guest services personnel, foreign currency exchange, and global shipping at a U.S. Post Office are offered to enhance the shopping experience.

The Florida Mall-Fabulous fashion. Exceptional eateries. Delightful diversions. That’s what shoppers find at Orlando’s fabulous fashion destination… The Florida Mall. Delectable treats at each and every turn. Opportunities to relax and refresh the spirit abound, and, ample parking makes getting here a breeze. Featuring Dillard’s, JCPenney, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Sears, along with over 250 specialty stores. The Florida Mall offers unparalleled shopping in Central Florida!

Orlando Premium Outlet Stores-This outlet provides a good choice for famous brand shopping such as at Ann Taylor, Barneys New York Outlet, Burberry, Coach, Diesel, Fendi, Gap Outlet, Giorgio Armani, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tommy Hilfiger. You can take our shuttle or if you are driving they do have a large parking garage that offers complimentary parking.

Glittering lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

November 20th, 2009

Ozborne Spectacular

Orlando, Florida is such a wonderful play to be during the holiday season! The theme parks are decked out with beautiful twinkling lights, buildings with colorful wreaths on their doors and Santa’s everywhere. The streets are lined with some decorations and everyone is in such a festive mood.

 A favorite place to visit during the holiday season is Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Millions of glittering lights that are perfectly synchronized to holiday music and put on a breathtaking show all of their own.  Thousand lights form twirling carousels, heavenly angels and they also form Santa and his reindeer. You will see entire buildings that are coved in multi-colored lights.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights decorations originated in Arkansas. Every year, Jennings Osborne and his family set up an elaborate collection of holiday lights and over the years, the collection kept growing and growing. In 1995, the Osborne family decided to share their magic with the world, and Walt Disney World Resort happily offered to become the new permanent home for this exceptional exhibition of holiday cheer. This event does not require a special ticket and is included with your park admission.

If you have some spare time, be sure to visit Downtown Disney. You will find unique gift opportunities of every kind; this is a favorite place for holiday shoppers who are treated to holiday themed display windows, lots of colorful light displays and a photo opportunity with Santa Claus himself.  The World of Disney Store is the largest Disney character store in the Walt Disney World Resort. There are 12 rooms that overflow with an overwhelming collection of items including, clothing, Disney character merchandise, collectibles, arts and crafts, baby needs, candy, plush toys, pirate and princess accessories, trading pins and much more. Bibbidi Boutique is tucked away in this store.