Leisure … more than a word, it's a lifestyle

Today is Earth Day. It is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s  environment. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach in  in 1970 and is celebrated in many countries every year. The first Earth Day was in 1970.

Central Florida Earth Day 2010 will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Lake Eola Park. Here’s the web site with more info http://www.cfearthday.org/activities/#schedule

Central Florida Earth Day is a FREE event! Rain or shine! So far hundreds of sponsors, vendors, and contributors have committed to participating in Earth Day, with more signing up every day! Central Florida Earth Day is organized by Vegetarians of Central Florida.

Garden Sponsor The Girls Gone Green is taking the lead in promoting Central Florida Earth Day. The company focuses on marketing within the green and sustainable marketplace. Green Girl Julie Watkins will be hosting Earth Day! Here’s the web site  https://www.thegirlsgonegreen.com/Home.html

CityWalk movie-goers now have a new option with the addition of IMAX at AMC Universal Cineplex 20. The new theater actually opened  on Dec. 18, with the James Cameron film, “Avatar” in 3D but we thought we’d include this in our blog as we’ve recently been asked where’s the best place to go to see a movie in Orlando.

CityWalk is hard to beat for an all round experience and this IMAX theater is no exception. In order to maximize the field of view in the new theater, the screen was replaced with a special, larger IMAX screen that is positioned closer to the audience. The new theater also features IMAX’s digital projection system as well as its latest sound system. IMAX’s digital projection system combines two digital projectors with IMAX’s proprietary image enhancer and custom lenses to create an image with greater clarity, brightness and contrast.

Also, two new quick-serve concepts have opened on  CityWalk – Fusion Bistro Sushi & Sake Bar and Fat Tuesday frozen daiquiris.

Fusion Bistro Sushi, a walk-up sushi bar, is located on the upper level of CityWalk, near the Cineplex. It is open to guests for lunch, dinner and late night dining. Wireless “sushi cameras” and a robotic sushi-roll making machine help create a rock’n’roll Asian-fanfare attitude.

Fat Tuesday, best known for its signature frozen daiquiris, is located on the upper level, between Pat O’Brien’s and the groove. Guests are able to walk up and enjoy a number of frozen favorites such as pina coladas and margaritas, along with signature concoctions like the 190 Octane, Crawgator and Banana Banshee, in a laid back Big Easy-style atmosphere. It is  open to guests from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Might be a great night to take in a movie…and watch out as this Summer sees so many new movies opening… we’ll be looking forward to those on future blogs so check back often.

2011 promises to be a great year for Central Florida as we are about to add a new member to our theme-park club: Legoland.

Merlin Entertainments Group, the British amusement operator that bought Cypress Gardens for $22.3 million , has announced plans to convert the old Polk County attraction into a theme park based on Lego toy-building blocks.

Legoland is one of about a dozen brands owned by Merlin, whose other holdings include Madame Tussauds wax museums, Alton Towers Resort and the London Eye. The company is the second-busiest amusement-park operator in the world, behind the Walt Disney Co., with combined attendance of about 35 million people.

Merlin is owned by the Blackstone Group, the private-equity giant that bought Orlando-based SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment last fall for about $2.5 billion. Blackstone also co-owns Universal Orlando alongside NBC Universal.

The new park promises to be a full day, year round theme park experience geared towards families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. The focus at Legoland will be on engaging children in interactive things and will essentially mirror the concept at the four other successful Legoland Parks in Denmark, Germany, UK and California.

It’s going to be a welcome addition and if it mirrors the success of the California park in particular, recently voted the country’s best children’s theme park for the sixth consecutive time by “Amusement Today”, then we have a treat in store for all kids and their parents.

Legoland Florida will be the biggest Legoland Park ever opened and will offer a mix of more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, including large Lego models and other interactive elements. We’re not sure of an actual opening date just yet but we’re led to believe it will be towards the end of 2011. Check back regularly for updates… bring it on!

News just in… our overseas guests who should be flying home in the next week but are stuck in the Orlando area because of the Icelandic volcanic ash don’t have to just sit at the airport.  Instead they can enjoy a ride on the new Omaka Rocka slide in Aquatica, fly on Manta at SeaWorld or check out the new Sesame Street Safari of Fun area at Busch Gardens for FREE!

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is offering FREE one-day admission to any United Kingdom, Irish or Continental European tourists stranded in Florida due to the interruption in international air travel caused by Icelandic volcanic ash.

The offer is valid at SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and stranded tourists must present to the parks’ front gate Guest Services window a valid return airline ticket from Wednesday, April 14, 2010 through Wednesday, April 21, 2010 or until normal flight schedules resume. One ticket will be offered at each park for each return flight ticket presented. Children under age 3 are free.

Well done to the folks at Sea World… a fabulous way to help those folks pass the time… great PR and no doubt the families affected will enjoy themselves even more!

I don’t know…what an excuse to take a longer vacation!

Boating in Florida

By Nigel G. Worrall

Planning to go to Florida this vacation? Then do not miss out on some great boating adventures while you are in the area as they are sure to be a part of a memorable vacation. Make the most of the sunshine and warm climate as Florida is the perfect place to be for outdoor sports. If you love the ocean, you will be spoilt for choice as you can enjoy a number of water sports like surfing, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, sailing, swimming, snorkeling and boating.

With a coastline measuring 8,000 miles and inland waterways spread over an area of 4,500 square miles boating in Florida is like living in a virtual paradise. Having a boat ranging from a small wooden skiff to a huge magnificent yacht is a must have vehicle for many Floridians and it’s easy for visitors too.

If you are interested in taking a boat trip in Florida, there are many popular boating routes that you can take. Down to the eastern coasts of Florida lies the ‘ditch’, a natural dredged channel, sprawling over a span of 500 miles, a very popular boating route, which passes through creeks, rivers and dredged canals. Maintained by the Florida Inland Navigation District it is also called the Intracoastal Waterway.

Okeechobee Waterway is another very popular boating route for the Summer. It stretches between St. Lucie Canal and Lake Okeechobee, including Sanibel Island across the Caloosahatchee River.

With inland water in abundance all around Florida, this place is the hub for many water sports which makes boating in Florida such a thrilling experience. Canoeing or kayaking can be done over an area of 1000 miles, which includes many waterways and State Parks. This is possible across 36 routes planned by The Florida Canoe Trail. Boating is even possible near to Orlando and its world famous attractions. There are many suitable lakes for enjoying a day out on the water and even Walt Disney World gets in on the act as they offer a fleet of sea raycers, sailboats, pontoon boats and canopy boats with which you can explore the Disney grounds.

For those who are interested in diving and snorkeling, there are around 4,000 diving sites. Florida is famous for its coral reef which is a virtual delight for snorkelers. You can go as far as 200 feet below sea-level at the Gulf of Mexico where an artificial reef has been created.

The state government of Florida endeavors to make Florida a boater’s paradise. While you are boating in Florida, there are a lot of places that you can visit. Baker’s Haulover Inlet in Miami and Peanut Island on Palm Beach County are great places to anchor out. Sanibel Island on the west coast of Florida is an ideal hideout for romantic couples or family vacations. The Florida Keys is outstanding for water sports and is a must visit.

If you wish to go boating in Florida, then it’s easy to rent, lease or charter your own vessel. Professional yacht brokers can be expensive, but you will find many places, where you can get boats at a reasonable price just by surfing the internet.

If you enjoy the thrill of fishing, you can enjoy deep sea fishing and your chances of catching that sailfish or marlin are high. While boating in Florida you can also enjoy the unique experience of fishing by night and by the pristine coral reefs, that mean you can find snapper and grouper in abundance.

Making the perfect boat trip is a vacation rental home. After a busy day at sea or on the lake, coming home to your fully equipped rental home relaxes the senses and the mind. Take a dip in the private swimming pool or just relax in one of the spacious lounge areas and plan to do it all again tomorrow!

Finally, don’t miss the two major boat shows; The Central Florida Boat Show runs August 6 to 8 at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando and October 28 to November 1 at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The shows are a great way to see what’s new and you’ll enjoy marveling at all the new boats, yachts, electronics, engines and thousands of boating accessories from every major marine manufacturer and boat builder worldwide.

©2010

I had some fun this morning as I went to a presentation by SeaWorld/ Busch Gardens staff on the new Sesame Street Safari of Fun.

It’s Busch Gardens’ newest land filled with kid-size rides, cool water fun and plenty of memorable adventures. Fly through the desert with Grover. Climb in Elmo’s Tree House. Splash in Bert and Ernie’s watering hole. You can even dine with your child’s furry friends. It’s Sesame Street Safari of Fun, where imaginations run wild and there’s fun for everyone.

It’s the kind of news that children and parents everywhere will love to hear.  Families can enjoy watching all of their favorite Sesame Street characters in a 4-D movie at the Globe Theatre called “Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination!” Then guests can visit Elmo and his friends and explore Busch Gardens’ newest attraction, situated in the England section of Busch Gardens. Sesame Street Forest of Fun features four new rides offering kid-sized versions of popular attractions, including a junior roller coaster designed for parents and children to ride together – Air Grover Junior Coaster that reaches a maximum speed of 22 mph.  The kid-zone also features wet and dry playgrounds, a photography studio with Sesame Street’s characters and musical performances. The Sesame Street-themed area expands Busch Gardens’ KIDsiderate attractions. The park’s current lineup of kid-friendly rides and attractions will remain, including the popular Land of the Dragons play area and junior rides throughout the park.

As the single largest informal educator of young children, local Sesame Street programs produced in countries as diverse as South Africa, Bangladesh and India are making a difference in over 120 nations. Using proprietary research to create engaging and enriching content, Sesame Workshop produces programs such as Dragon Tales and Pinky Dinky Doo. In addition, multimedia needs-driven initiatives provide families tools for addressing such issues as children’s health, military deployment and emergency preparedness. As a nonprofit, product proceeds and philanthropic donations support Sesame Workshop’s educational research and creative content for children around the world. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.

And here’s me with Elmo…

Elmo & Nigel Worrall

Under pressure from Congress and space boosters from across the country, President Barack Obama  is visiting Kennedy Space Center today and in a huge about turn he is expected to announce  that he plans to revive part of the Constellation moon program, start a new heavy-rocket development project and create a $40 million initiative to help Kennedy Space Center  workers find jobs after the space shuttle is retired later this year.

Obama is scheduled to deliver remarks at KSC’s Operations and Checkout Building and afterwards, a conference of space experts will discuss how to make the new plan work.

Up to 9,000 KSC workers are set to lose their jobs when the shuttle era ends. But the White House says Obama’s plans for KSC — including nearly $2 billion for a five-year modernization program that had been previously announced — would add 2,500 jobs “as compared to the prior path” that included the Constellation moon-rocket program.

Earlier this year the President stated that he intended to cancel the Ares rockets, Orion crew capsule and Altair  lunar lander that made up the Constellation program that was slated to replace the space shuttle and return astronauts to the moon by 2020.

Obama’s plan ran into fierce opposition from members of Congress with NASA districts, even though Constellation was over budget and years behind schedule. They complained that Obama has not laid out details of when — or how — NASA would return to the business of exploring the cosmos.

Now, according to administration officials, Obama is expected to say that he plans to revive Constellation’s Orion capsule, reconfiguring it to fly aboard a commercial rocket to the space station, where it would serve as an emergency lifeboat for the six-member crew. That would mean as many as 400 jobs at Kennedy Space Center to assemble and integrate the Apollo-like spacecraft before flight.

We’ll see… looks and sounds to me that no-one really has a plan and that it’s all political pressure driving this as the economy is in a mess and it’s not going to look good throwing more people out of work. I read a sign yesterday that said “The trouble with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money”… mmmmm.

Orlando Vacation Magic

By Nigel G. Worrall

The economic recession is responsible for many unfortunate situations today. It has affected salaries by making them smaller, investments by cutting their value and retirement funds have shrunk as well. The current, as well as future, employment scenario looks as grim as it has done for several years and it’s at times like this that luxuries the family routinely enjoys have to be cut back to the bone. It’s not much fun and it’s never easy telling loved ones that things you used to take for granted are now not the norm.

In such trying times, the family holiday with fancy frills and thrills is one of the most obvious to face the cut. In doing so, many of us forget that holidays and vacations need not cost much. Vacations and holidays build memories for the whole family for life and cutting back in this area can seriously damage future relationships and cause resentment and bitterness long after someone has passed away. After all, who doesn’t remember a family vacation with mom and dad or grandma and grandpa?

The vacation magic of Orlando is one way to protect your future memories. It’s a way to build quality family time and to build relationships that will carry you through future up’s and down’s.  No, you need not and should not give up your family vacation. It is possible to still have a great family vacation that is easy on your pocket and where you can still you can enjoy the comforts and extravagance of staying in a 5 star facility if you follow the following tips:

1. Selecting A Destination

It is advisable to choose a destination which is popular for its tourism. Orlando, Florida is one of the most popular destinations for vacations. More than 52 million people visit Orlando every year to explore the theme parks and to feel the sun and the sand. This means that great deals are available throughout the year.

2. On & Off Seasons

Knowing the dates or months of the low, medium & high season for tourism of a place is very important. May and September, for example, are generally low tourism months for Orlando. During these periods, there is usually an even bigger drop in the rates of hotel rooms & vacation homes; even rental car companies and theme parks usually have some special offers.

3. The Vacation Home Magic of Orlando has several important benefits for those on a limited budget and a few of these listed below:

a. Plan your vacation with your friends, family and rent a vacation home with 3,4 or 5 bedrooms. This will give you ample space for each member of the party as well as giving you the ability to also divide the cost which makes it highly economical.

b. Instead of eating your meals at expensive restaurants, usually followed by a huge bill & a heavy stomach, you can cook your own meals in the kitchen- fully equipped with necessary utensils, dishes and electrical appliances. Shop for your groceries as you would at home and save big money eating when and where you want to.

c. Most vacation homes have wi-fi internet connections and the cost is included in the overall rent you are paying.

d. Whereas in hotels, swimming pool hours are restricted, in a vacation home you can swim whenever you wish to. Most vacation homes have a private heated pool and spa facility. Besides, you can have your privacy even when you are holidaying. There are no “resort” fees to pay as it’s all included in your price.

e. Many holiday homes have activity or games rooms, which sometimes include foosball, pool and ice hockey tables. You will save money by having days in at home rather than going out to the attraction parks all the time.

f. The majority of vacation homes are located in sub-divisions which have a play area or kids tot lot. Some homes even have a private garden attached to the house and this means you and your loved ones can indulge in sports and outdoor activities together on days when you might not want to step out.
4. The Charm Of Theme Parks

While in Orlando, it is virtually impossible not to visit one of the great theme parks. By carefully researching and planning your visit online you can optimize your time and your money. There are many web sites and locations that sell park tickets in advance with a discount so that you can spend a fun filled vacation with your family.

So, you need not go without your beloved family vacation this year after all. All you need to do is plan according to your budget and find new ways to make your money go further. Enjoy your vacation!

The countdown to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa is on and millions of people all over the globe will be glued to their TV sets as the action takes place. There’s absolutely no event like it…totally and utterly unique.

In the US we have “The World Series” in Major League Baseball and the team that wins the NBA (National Basketball Association) are often called the “World Champions” but reality is that the teams don’t compete on an international level. Soccer, or to give it it’s correct name…football,  is different. The World Cup winners are indeed the best in the World.

So, we look ahead to Friday 11th June in Johannesburg when South Africa take on Mexico in the curtain opening game. A day later is one of the most anticipated games as the United States takes on England at Rustenberg.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the 19th FIFA World Cup and the final will take place on 11 July. This will be the first time that the tournament has been hosted by an African nation, after South Africa beat Morocco and Egypt in an all-African bidding process. This decision left the Oceania Football Confederation  as the only confederation yet to host the FIFA World Cup. Italy are the defending champions.

There’s much to look forward and a complete list of games is listed on the FIFA web site at the link below.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/index.html

So while we wait for the matches to begin, those folks visiting Orlando will be anxious to know if they can watch the games. For those staying in one of our vacation homes then I’m pleased to say that most of our homes have large screen TV’s and the right TV package so you can see all the action. For those wanting to join others and enjoy a friendly atmosphere at the pub or bar then there are several places you can enjoy a drink and the game.

Here’s a list:

http://www.cricketersarmspub.com/

http://www.livesoccertv.com/pubs/florida/clermont/devenney-pub/

http://www.livesoccertv.com/pubs/florida/davenport/the-pub-hwy-27/

I’ll add more as I get more details…