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

Hot on the heels of Rory McIlroy’s fabulous win at the US Open came the chance to visit Grand Cypress Golf Resort in Orlando. Previously Grand Cypress was a private members club but that’s all changed now and the 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature golf are now open for guests of Florida Leisure Vacation Homes to play.

The resort truly has a diverse selection of Orlando golf with its 27-hole North/South/East Course providing the ultimate test of accuracy while the 18-hole New Course provides a Scottish links masterpiece. Within the 27 holes, the Jack Nicklaus Signature-designed North, South, and East Nines provide three distinctly unique 18-hole masterpieces. For the full round of 18, courses can be combined as the North-South, South-East, or East-North Course. Each combination provides a distinctive playing experience, which will challenge even the best of golfers.

Grand Cypress Golf Club is proud to host the LPGA for a tour event every year and this is your chance to play the same course that the top professional ladies play. The whole facility is both elegant and oozes class in every aspect. From the moment you walk through the club house door to the time you walk off the 18th green you’ll thoroughly enjoy an unforgettable Orlando golf experience.

If you’re looking to hone you game then there’s no better than the Grand Cypress Academy of Golf. It features a variety of golf school programs offering one to five days of unparalleled instruction and the most advanced teaching methods to improve your performance. The Grand Cypress Academy of Golf, has won countless awards for it’s high level of instruction and all of the instructors are among the best in Florida.

Grand Cypress is located just 15 to 20 minutes from Florida Leisure’s vacation homes and our staff would be delighted to book your tee time when you’re next in the Central Florida area.

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Exotic cocktails will pair like a tropical daydream with fresh new tastes from more than one island paradise at the 16th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 30-Nov. 13, 2011, at Walt Disney World Resort. The one-of-a-kind 45-day festival serves up international cuisine, culture and entertainment from six continents, with more than 25 international marketplaces featuring tapas-sized portions paired with beer, wine and inventive new cocktails.

Marketplace tasting menus offer variety and adventure for guests on a mission to tantalize their taste buds during a scenic stroll around the 40-acre World Showcase Lagoon. The adventure can take them to the festival’s first Hawaii marketplace, which will cook up Kalua pork sliders and tuna poke with seaweed salad and lotus root chips to team with a refreshing Seven Tiki Mai Tai or a Kona Longboard or Pipeline beer. A new Caribbean Islands marketplace will serve ropa vieja with rice and jerk-spiced chicken with mango salsa. A beverage menu featuring a frozen Dragon Berry Colada and frozen Rock Coconut Mojito is sure to conjure steel-drum fantasies.

With a swing across the Atlantic, guests will be transported to the new Portugal marketplace, where the Portugal Wine Bar will offer best sips to pair with calamari salad with olives and smoked paprika. The Scandinavia marketplace will return after a hiatus with a fresh new Xante Sunshine cocktail made from Xante pear and cognac liquer. And the Canada marketplace will introduce a sweet treat: apple ice wine.

Disney and celebrity chefs will team with winemakers and brew masters from around the world to get the party started Sept. 30. During the six-week festival, guests will discover:

* Three new tasting marketplaces — Hawaii, Caribbean Islands and Portugal — plus new menu offerings at popular returning marketplaces
* Celebrity chef appearances starring top culinarians like Jeff Henderson, Cat Cora, Alan Wong, Gale Gand, Suvir Saran, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Celina Tio, Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern, Buddy Valastro, Warren Brown, Art Smith, Keegan Gerhard and more.
* First-ever HGTV home entertaining seminars each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
* The Cranberry Bog display by Craisins telling the story behind the venerable cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage.
* Daily wine seminars, bottle signings, author events and culinary demonstrations at the Festival Welcome Center.
* Eat to the Beat! concerts three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre.

New Sips, Fresh Bites

Festival guests can make a day of circumnavigating the World Showcase Promenade, grazing and sipping as they go. Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $3 to $8 each, and recommended wines, cocktails and beers make perfect pairings at each marketplace. For quicker marketplace visits, guests can purchase a festival-themed mini-Disney Gift Card that can be worn on a wristband and loaded and reloaded at several park locations.

Live daily entertainment showcases many cultures with music, acrobatics and improv performances along the promenade. Evening Eat to the Beat! concerts at America Gardens Theatre feature acts from many musical genres. Appearing for the first time on the Eat to the Beat! stage are The Pointer Sisters, The Orchestra starring former members of ELO and Gin Blossoms. Fan favorite Taylor Dayne kicks off the festival Sept. 30-Oct. 2, and crowd pleaser Big Bad Voodoo Daddy wraps the event Nov. 11-13.

The festival attracts a diverse audience — from wine connoisseurs and epicures to novices wishing to boost their culinary IQs. Special culinary programs showcase a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Festival highlights include:

* The Festival Welcome Center, with a Wine Bar, Authentic Taste Seminars, Authors Without Borders weekend conversations and more.
* More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting dinners and tasting events.
* A complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir.
* Popular returning events that include First Bites Opening Reception on Sept. 29; Kitchen Memories (formerly Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen); Mixology Seminar; and “3D” Disney Dessert Discovery.
* The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event beginning Oct. 8 and with a new Saturday evening time of 7:30-10 p.m. featuring tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment presented by Cirque du Soleil.

Festival guests can enjoy fresh Epcot experiences including the latest Future World high-tech fun at Innoventions and the celebrated return of “Captain EO,” the classic musical 3-D production starring Michael Jackson in a rare big-screen performance. In World Showcase, new and recently updated restaurants welcome guests at the Italy, Japan, Mexico and China pavilions.

What’s Included with Epcot Admission:

Authentic Taste seminars and Authors Without Borders programs with special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

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Tough weather and tough luck lead to a 1-1 draw in Orlando City’s first ever nationally televised game against the Wilmington Hammerheads.  6,923 fans braved the nearly 30 mile per hour winds to see the third largest crowd of the season, one that surpassed Major League Soccer’s New England/Toronto match on Wednesday night.

Orlando City kicked off the match hesitant in their play due to severe winds but settled after the opening 10 minutes.  The Lions were also playing with an altered line-up as they were missing several key starters due to suspensions and visa issues.  This gave reserves Charlie Campbell, Wes Allen, and Dennis Chin a chance for playing time with the rest of the regular starters.  Allen’s time was unfortunately short-lived as he suffered a leg injury in the 36^th minute, opening up an opportunity for fellow reserve defender Kieron Bernard.

The Lions attacked hard but came up short trying to send the ball to Max Griffin and Devorn Jorsling.  The wind continued to cause havoc with City’s play style, knocking the ball around in unpredictable ways.  The two forwards demonstrated strong passion to score, but were continuously shut down by the wind and Wilmington defense.

The Lions appeared to be one touch shy of a goal as the offense became frustrated in their attack. Max Griffin, Devorn Jorsling, Kevin Molino, and Erik Ustruck all took shots on goal that flew just wide or soared barely over the crossbar.  Orlando and Wilmington battled back and forth for the remainder of the half and demonstrated aggressive play that resulted in a collection of fouls for each team.  The half concluded scoreless.

The Lions sprang to life to start the second half and really began to threaten the Hammerhead defense.  Celebration erupted in the 54^th minute as Orlando City forward Devorn Jorsling scored his first goal of the regular season (pictured above…click to enlarge).  Jorsling struck a powerful shot from about 25 yards outside the goal, capitalizing on the momentum from his two-goal performance in Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup match.

The Lions continued to ignite in their attack as they gained momentum from Jorsling’s spectacular goal.  Campbell, Yordany Alvarez, and Lawrence Olum controlled the midfield while Griffin and Jorsling worked together with them on the attack. In the 74^th minute, Orlando City substituted Max Griffin for Dennis Chin.  Chin’s fresh energy and enthusiasm created a new spark for the Orlando offense.

Unfortunately, the Hammerheads were not settling for a shutout as forward Andriy Budnyy scored a goal in the 84^th minute.  Luke Mulholland’s cross was deflected by Lion defender Kieron Bernard and into the air.  Budnyy received the ball in the 18-yard box and had barely enough time to set up for the shot as he blasted the ball through the legs of Orlando City defender Jack Traynor and the diving hands of Miguel Gallardo.  Both sides fought hard for a go-ahead goal, but could not find the final ball.  The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

“I think we played well but we got too comfortable with the lead at the end of the game,” said Charlie Campbell. “We had a couple mental lapses at the end and broke down defensively and I think that’s what cost us the goal and cost us the two points for that game. I’m disappointed that we lost the other point due to mental errors.  There’s always going to be adversity in the season and it’s how you overcome that adversity. It takes a whole team effort.”

Next up for the Lions is the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.  City travels to Charleston to face fellow USL PRO side Charleston Battery.  A win will advance the Lions to the final 16 of the Open Cup.  They will face FC Dallas in the third round.

Team                                                    1st          2nd        Final

Orlando City                                       0              1              1

Wilmington Hammerheads            0              1              1

Scoring Summary

54^th Minute – Orlando: Devorn Jorsling

84^th Minute – Wilmington: Andriy Budnyy (Luke Mulholland)

Orlando City Line-up

GK: Miguel Gallardo

D: Jack Traynor, Demar Stewart, Wes Allen (36’ – Kieron Bernard), Erik Ustruck

M: Yordany Alvarez, Lawerence Olum, Charlie Campbell, Kevin Molino

F: Devorn Jorsling, Max Griffin (74’ – Dennis Chin)

This Saturday’s match for Orlando City vs. the Wilmington Hammerheads is the club’s first ever nationally televised game. FOX Soccer Channel has chosen this game as the USL PRO Game of the Week and calling all the action will be the voice of USL, Kenn Tomasch, alongside USL National Technical Director Peter Mellor, who will provide color commentary.   Tomasch is a veteran of many USL broadcasts in previous years, and also serves as host of “USL Breakaway Magazine,” a monthly 30-minute highlight and feature show also seen on FOX Soccer.  The first episode of this season’s edition of Breakaway will precede the match broadcast.

Mellor has been a staff coach with the United States Soccer Federation since 1992 and was a professional goalkeeper for two decades, primarily in the English Premier League.  He manages the technical aspects of USL’s player development programs and combines, and assists USL teams in scouting, development and advancement of players.

The match itself promises to be an exciting one.  Orlando and Wilmington met just two weeks ago in Wilmington.  After falling behind 2-1 in the first half, Orlando City roared back with three second-half goals to earn a 4-2 victory.  Both teams won their U.S. Open Cup matches last night by a 4-0 scoreline.

There’s some bad news for Orlando though as the USL has handed down discipline for the physical altercation at midfield in last week’s match against Antigua Barracuda FC.  Two Orlando City players have been suspended for their role in the incident that started when City defender Rob Valentino was taken down from behind by Lawson Robinson.  Valentino popped up and confronted Robinson, only to take a punch.  Valentino retaliated, resulting in both teams rushing to defend their teammates.  Valentino and Lawson were sent off for the altercation, as were Akeem Thomas (Antigua) and a Barracudas assistant coach.

Further video review by the USL has discovered other players, mostly from the Barracudas, were involved.  The additional players have also been suspended and  because Antigua has not and will not play another match before City’s visit on June 24^th, the Caribbean side will be without several starters for the rematch series.

For City, the two suspended players are Rob Valentino and Jamie Watson.  Valentino’s suspension comes as a direct result of his red card.  Watson received a two match suspension for joining in the fracas.  He will miss the Wilmington match and the first match in Antigua but both players will be available for U.S. Open Cup matches as league suspensions have no effect on the tournament.

Below is the full list of suspensions for both teams and I’ve also added a video showing the action from the Antigua game:

Player                                  Team                    Suspension

Lawson Robinson              ANT                        6/24 vs. Orlando

George Dublin                   ANT                         6/24 vs. Orlando, 6/26 vs. Orlando

Quinton Griffith                  ANT                      6/24 vs. Orlando, 6/26 vs. Orlando

Carl Casey (coach)          ANT                         6/24 vs. Orlando, 6/26 vs. Orlando

Akeem Thomas                  ANT                        6/24 vs. Orlando, 6/26 vs. Orlando

Rob Valentino                     ORL                        6/18 vs. Wilmington

Jamie Watson                     ORL                        6/18 vs. Wilmington, 6/24 @ Antigua

Tickets for the match are still available, starting at just $12.  For more information or to order tickets, call 407-536-5368 or visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com today!

Orlando is home to three of the World’s most famous theme parks, with many wonderful and thrilling rides and attractions, but one of the smaller and oldest of the attractions has possibly unveiled the most thrilling ride of all. For over 50 years, Gatorland in South Orlando has been a family friendly, affordable natural attraction featuring thousands of alligators in an environment that is equal parts education and entertainment. That all changes on June 16, 2011 when they open their all-new Screamin’ Gator Zip Line Experience to the general public.

Florida Leisure were invited to have an early preview of this experience so we sent along our intrepid reporter, Colin Bowman, who sent in a great report and he says his heart is still pounding from the expeirence! Here’s his report:

Gator Zip Line Experience

by Colin Bowman

This 2½ hour experience begins with you meeting your guides for the trip, an orientation video with the hilarious and inept “Bubba” and “Cooter” and then time to truss you up in your safety gear. With all the harnesses on and your helmet you feel pretty good and invincible, a feeling that lasts right up until you arrive at the first tower and look up.

Tower one stands over six stories and has what feels like 100 stairs (it’s probably less, but believe me, counting steps was the last thing on my mind). If that fact takes your breath away, try and find it once you have actually climbed to the top. Your guide then informs you that the launch platform is over fifty feet above the ground and of course you are compelled to look down. He’s right … above the ground … concrete below and lots of people looking up at you, video cameras in hand … and you know what they want to have happen.. Having never ziplined before, it was a big test of intestinal fortitude to step off that platform and believe me I prayed that all these harnesses, which now seem extremely flimsy, are going to hold you in place as you travel almost 250ft at about fifteen miles per hour through the tree tops. Anyway, away we go …

And we land at tower two which is slightly bigger, standing at 56ft tall, but the launch platform is only 46ft off the ground. The line itself is only 265ft in length , so traveling at twenty miles per hour should be a doddle … except that this time you are going over a pool with about 30 alligators below you … oh joy … here we go again … backwards, because the cute little girl with the camera says she can get a better photo and of course you have to impress her … but stepping off a platform backwards wearing a piece of material and a couple of lanyards is an daunting experience for sure … whoosh … see you later gators …

This is getting easy … now for tower three. It stands at 65ft and has a launch platform 56ft off the ground. We will be traveling 230ft at over twenty five miles per hour. Wait a minute, that’s getting higher and faster … dammit … “Try running off this one,” says my guide … “Oops I can’t hear you,” I reply as I grab everything and use my trusty sit-down take off method … Then I hear drums … only to discover that it is actually my heart, because straight ahead I see an even bigger tower and with that I arrive at …

Tower four which looms over the park like King Kong. It stands over seventy five feet tall, the launch platform is sixty five feet off the ground and the line is 520ft long. This means I will be traveling at almost thirty miles per hour. Did I mention the breeding marsh below with 130 of the biggest alligators that you have ever seen plus one particularly angry crocodile. At this point, I also became aware of the fact that these towers rock and sway a lot in the wind. My mouth is also very dry and I am very grateful for the water provided at this station, although I am just praying that the contents of my bladder will remain there. “Don’t forget the photo op,” says my cheerful guide … I am just praying I am not going to become the latest YouTube sensation for all the wrong reasons … GERONIMO (I wish I had shouted something brave) …

And a few seconds later … touchdown … I feel like I have won the SuperBowl … one to go. “Just cross over the rickety bridge to get to the last zipline. “RICKETY BRIDGE?” How did I miss that? Bridges, why did it have to be bridges. I hate them. I hate rickety ones in the wind even more and being clipped to the safety line 31ft up in the air crossing this 150ft long bridge was not my idea of fun … even less when my companion decided it would be fun to start her crossing when I was halfway across and started bouncing … fortunately she weighs about the same as a bag of flour, so the effect wasn’t as great as she hoped … but still, the people below obviously thought it was funny. I am sure the smiles would’ve been wiped from their faces if I had used them as a landing mat.

Finally, after a nerve-wracking eternity I made it over to tower six (five is where the bridge starts). This is my favorite, side-by-side ziplines so you can drag race and attempt a measure of revenge on any companions who may have slighted you, by smoking them over the 340ft line traveling at speeds up to thirty miles per hour … or not!!!! Even though I did attempt to run off the platform, there was a definite stutter step at the end when I realized that is I didn’t reach the other side, I would be dangling over another lake chocked full of alligators … hopefully they haven’t mastered the art of acrobatic pyramids, but for some reason I couldn’t get Fantasia out of my head (the Disney movie, not the American Idol).

But I survived and this really was so much fun and should be added to your bucket list of things to do next time you vacation in Orlando and if you are fortunate enough to live here, what are you waiting for.

Known internationally as the “Alligator Capital of the World,” you can find out more about this experience and Gatorland in general at http://www.gatorland.com/ScreaminGator.php

Discovery Cove – the ultimate, all-inclusive tropical retreat where guests swim with dolphins has taken immersion to new depths with the opening of The Grand Reef last Friday. The new reef, an all-new area of Discovery Cove, features multiple levels of exploration, from shallow waters to deeper swimming adventures and white sandy beaches, to snorkeling among canyons inspired by reefs from around the world.

“The Grand Reef takes Discovery Cove’s world-class animal encounters to an all new level — several, actually,” said Stewart Clark, the park’s vice president. “It’s what our guests expect from us, unforgettable connections with the sea and making memories that will last forever.  This could only be created by Discovery Cove.”

Visitors just need to get their feet wet to enjoy The Grand Reef, or they can choose to go deep.  They can step into tranquil, shallow waters to discover a below-the-surface world teeming with sea life, or they can snorkel in deeper waters as thousands of exotic fish and graceful rays swim around them.

Surprises abound.  Families can seek discoveries along the water’s edge or cross a bridge to see sharks swimming below.  They’ll play hide-and-seek with thousands of beautiful fish, from small colorful wrasses to large spotted eagle rays. Further out in the reef, stunning habitats create the feeling of swimming right alongside venomous lionfish and sharp-toothed reef sharks, each safely behind glass.  Guests can take paths and bridges to the reef’s islands and hidden grottos as they delve into the reef from above, around and below.

Those looking for an even more exhilarating adventure can take part in The Grand Reef’s innovative experience, SeaVenture, an underwater walking tour.  Wearing dive helmets, guests find up-close excitement around every corner, each step yielding a new discovery.  They’ll come across lionfish and sharks (safely behind massive panoramic windows), one-on-one touches with unique animals and schools of fish and gentle rays swimming by. SeaVenture is a once-in-a-lifetime, undersea experience available for a nominal fee.

The Grand Reef is the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation, a fully immersive tropical escape, new to discover in Orlando this summer and beyond. Discovery Cove is a full-day experience where guests can swim with dolphins, hand-feed exotic birds, snorkel through beautiful fresh and salt water lagoons and relax on pristine, white-sand beaches. In addition to the park’s one-of-a-kind animal interactions and lush natural beauty, Discovery Cove delivers superlative, personalized service, and unlimited access to an unparalleled array of first-class amenities.

Discovery Cove amenities include meals, snacks and beverages throughout the day’s adventures, towels, wet suits and swim gear, plus a pass for unlimited admission* to either SeaWorld or Aquatica in Orlando or Busch Gardens in Tampa to be used surrounding a Discovery Cove visit. Guests can upgrade to the Ultimate package which includes admission to all three sister parks for an additional fee.  Advanced reservations are required.

Seasonal rates for Discovery Cove’s Dolphin Swim Day Resort Package start at $199 (rates for Day Resort Package without dolphin swim experience and guests ages 3-5 start at $129).  Prices vary seasonally.

Here’s some video:

Yesterday I talked about the exciting new exhibition at Kennedy Space Center called STAR TREK : The Exhibition and as promised, today, I’m going to talk about STAR TREK LIVE. The show is an exciting and interactive stage show that brings Vulcan’s and humans together on an exhilarating journey only a few miles away from where history was made and mankind’s greatest adventure began at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The show transforms audience members into Starfleet Academy Cadets and takes them on an unforgettable live theatrical experience for fans of all ages. With a combination of fun special effects and audience interaction, Cadet’s learn to use space-age technology and become immersed in a future of space adventure.

Produced by Mad Science® Productions, under a license from CBS Consumer Products, STAR TREK LIVE introduces a world of discovery by combining science with entertainment to teach and encourage scientific literacy. In the show, the audience portrays new Starfleet cadets assembled for the first day at the Starfleet Academy led by its best and brightest. The new cadets will have to learn quickly the intricacies of living and working in space, modern space travel and the latest in communication and technology to fend off a Romulan attack on Earth.

“NASA and Star Trek have a long, parallel history together, and we hope to inspire visiting families with the fun and educational story of space exploration through this engaging stage show,” said Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Chief Operating Officer Bill Moore. “A sense of science has been given to science-fiction through Star Trek, and NASA transforms this incredible journey into reality.”

STAR TREK LIVE is presented a minimum of three times daily at the 300-seat Astronaut Encounter Theater and for more information about the live action show, call Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex at 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.

A crowd of 5,934 saw Orlando’s unbeaten 11 game streak come to an end as opponents Antigua punished Orlando for not taking their chances.   The 2-1 scoreline somewhat flattered the visitors as Orlando had 19 goal attempts to Antigua’s 9 but it’s goals that matter and after an unexciting first half, things really came to the boil in the second.

The first half saw Orlando make 7 attempts on goal while Antigua relied on catching their opponents on the break with their 4 attempts all coming from loose possession and mistakes from Orlando players. The main culprit for Orlando was forward Max Griffin who wasted 3 first half attempts (not to mention 2 more in the second period), the most stunning of all, a one on one with the keeper when he stumbled over the ball.

The second half started well for Antigua though, as they took the lead on the 48th minute as a Quinton Griffith free kick was turned home by Barracuda striker Stefan Smith. Worse was to follow for City as on the 54 minute mark, Antigua striker Randolph Burton found himself in the clear and he found the net with a cool finish past Orlando’s helpless keeper Miguel Gallardo to make it 2-0.

Orlando responded and began to play better being rewarded on 59th minute as Griffin finally found the net with a tap in to make the score 1-2. Orlando then had the better of the play and went close as both Lewis Neal and Jamie Watson blazed over the bar when a calmer finish was needed.

The 70th minute saw the game explode as both sets of players ended up in a huge melee as City defender Roa Valentino was hacked down from behind by Lawson Robinson. Valentino didn’t take too kindly to that and pushed Robinson who promptly threw a punch back. Both sets of players then rushed in to scrap it out with each other with the end result being red cards to Antigua’s Lawson Robinson (pictured above left) and substitute Akeem Thomas who inexplicably raced onto the pitch to join in the fun. Orlando’s Valentino (pictured above right) also saw red and that effectively made the game a 10 player a side affair.

Orlando then pushed for an equaliser and again squandered numerous chances and despite over six minutes of extra time at the end of the second period, they just couldn’t find a way through the Antigua defence.  Overall, City can only blame themselves for losing this game. They were undoubtedly the better team but you simply can’t afford to waste chances at this or any other level. There’s much for Coach Adrian Heath to ponder on after this defeat but he can take heart from the fact that Orlando did create numerous chances.

More pictures here: Orlando v Antigua

Here’s some video:

This weekend, Universal Orlando’s 2011 Summer Concert Series begins and it will feature the most dynamic lineup in the event’s history. Six hit artists – including Drake, Boys Like Girls and Trey Songz – will take center stage every Saturday night from June 11 to July 16.

With a combined total of 30 platinum albums, this year’s concert lineup features artists who have each led the U.S. music charts. The list of performers includes: Drake – one of only two musical artists to have his first two Top 10 songs occur in the same week; Grammy award-winning hip-hop artist Nelly; legendary female rock band Go-Go’s – who have their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; and multi-platinum rockers Third Eye Blind. The full lineup, including performance dates, can be viewed below.

In its third year, the Summer Concert Series has become one of Orlando’s most popular summertime events. By day, guests can enjoy world-class thrills found only at Universal Studios, such as The Simpsons Ride – featuring America’s favorite animated family – and Revenge of the Mummy – the world’s first psychological thrill ride based on the popular “Mummy” films. By night, guests can dance along to a live concert at the Music Plaza Stage in the glow of colorful LED lights from Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – Universal Orlando’s most radically-innovative roller coaster ever created.

The Summer Concert Series is included with regular park admission to Universal Studios. Guests can upgrade a one-park ticket to include Universal’s Islands of Adventure – featuring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the most spectacularly themed environment ever created.

Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been awarded the AAA Five-Diamond Award, the highest AAA honor for a restaurant. This is the 11th year (first awarded in 2000), and V&A’s is the only restaurant in Central Florida and one of only three in Florida, along with L’Escalier and The Restaurant at the Four Seasons, both in Palm Beach. Only 55 restaurants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico made the 2011 list.

The leadership team at Victoria & Albert’s are manager and sommelier Israel Perez, chef Scott Hunnel  (pictured above) and master pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek.

The restaurant is one of the best in Central Florida and certainly the best choice for special occasions. The menu is modern American cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seasonal products.

AAA evaluates more than 60,000 hotels and eateries annually. The ratings are given on a scale of one to five diamonds. Five-diamond properties are the premier establishments in the U.S.